Dubbo trainer Todd Smith will make the trek to Louth on Saturday with a major player set to contest the $22,000 Louth Cup.
The 2000m staying test headlines what promises to be a bumper day on and off the track, and Smith has his five-year-old Brazen Beau gelding Godwits racing in fine fettle.
Godwits won the 2200m Benchmark 58 Handicap at Dubbo on July 13 before finishing second in a 1700m Benchmark 50 Handicap at Carinda on July 18. He then caused something of an upset at Bathurst on July 28, stepping up in grade to prevail in the 1800m Benchmark 66 Handicap.
With Liam Blanch in the saddle, the pair raced on the speed and were tough to the line, winning by the narrowest of margins. Blanch retains the ride at Louth, and Smith is confident of a forward showing in one of NSW’s most celebrated non-TAB country cups.
“I think he is a good chance,” Smith told Country Punter.
“The win at Bathurst was very tough, the 2000m and hard dirt won’t be any problem, and he’ll be on the speed which will suit him at Louth.”
Smith revealed Louth has been the target for some time, with the Bathurst victory a welcome bonus along the way.
“It has been the plan for the past six weeks to go to Louth,” Smith said.
“That win was a bit of a bonus for us. It was a Benchmark 66, and I thought he might be found wanting, but every run we give him, he keeps improving.”
Godwits is Smith’s only runner at Louth on Saturday, before attention turns to meetings at Dubbo on Monday and Wellington on Thursday.
A former Racing NSW steward of 23 years, Smith hung up the binoculars in 2021 before taking on the role of Racing Manager for leading Dubbo trainer Clint Lundholm.
Now training, utilising his own farm and facilities at Dubbo Turf Club, he has hit the ground running, training six winners since Godwits delivered his first victory at Quambone in May.
Subsequent wins with Godwits, The Confidante (Moree and Forbes), and Like Lukey (Warren) have quickly showcased Smith’s training talents.
“Training is what I have always wanted to do, and it’s good to have the opportunity,” Smith said.
“We’ve had a little bit of success, and at the end of the day, I love working with the horses.
“With a horse like Godwits, when I got him up here, he’d been beaten 50 lengths at his last four starts. The runs before he got to me; he was going average, so it’s a bit of an achievement to get him – and these other horses – turning around and going well.”
Smith has also been backing his judgment in the sales ring, making shrewd purchases with Godwits ($2,250), Like Lukey ($2,000), and The Confidante ($11,000) all picked up at bargain prices.
A good eye for a tried horse, combined with his outstanding facilities, appears to be the secret behind his early success.
“At the stables here, I’ve got ten boxes and eight day yards, and at home, 13 more horse yards. I’m lucky, and it’s a good key to success,” Smith said.
“For example, the three horses that raced at Forbes on Sunday – they were in the paddock after that and stayed there for three days.
“They are bouncing when they come back into town. It’s just good for them to be able to go out to the paddock, have a pick, and not be in a box all the time.”
