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By Mark Brassel

Warwick Farm-based trainer Matthew Smith can maintain his upwards trajectory when he sends a talented quartet to Scone Race Club meeting next Tuesday.

Smith’s stable is flying having notched 82 winners for the year with seven weeks remaining before the commencement of the 2023/24 season.

Matthew Smith (right) receives a trophy from the Hon. David Elliott. Image by Bradley Photographers

Last season Smith prepared 70 winners; the year before the figure was 47 and prior to that his winning figures were 54, 36 and 35, hence, Smith and his team will enjoy their best season yet.

Leading Smith’s runners at Scone will be lightly raced chestnut Golden Fighter who is entered for the Inglis Class 1 Handicap (1100m).

Golden Fighter made his debut at Goulburn last July and was impressive, sitting three-wide the entire trip before racing away to score by 1½-lengths.

The gelding was then heavily backed into $1.50 favouritism but appeared to flounder in the heavy conditions at the same course when a tiring third before being spelled by Smith.

Golden Fighter has since trialled on four occasions and will join stablemates Blue Jager, Power Puff and Zippy Zoo at Scone.

Local trainer Lyle Chandler is another who is enjoying his best season to date.

Chandler has prepared 11 winners for the season, having produced four winners from his past 11 starters.

Last season the South African-born Chandler finished with six winners and the previous season he had just the two winners.

The stable had a winner at Taree on Tuesday with Rapbidash and a double at Muswellbrook a fortnight earlier with Rapbidash and Mazita.

At Scone on Tuesday Chandler will be represented by two runners in Mazita and Eagledge.

Mazita is owned by Kia Ora Stud and followed third placings at Muswellbrook and Scone with a hard-fought victory at Muswellbrook, gaining the verdict in a three-way finish.

Eagledge, a gelded son of Star Turn, will be making his debut and caught the eye when finishing fast for third in a recent Gosford barrier trial.

Meanwhile, Walgett Jockey Club will stage its annual six-race PJ O’Brien Memorial community meeting on Saturday.

“There will be a Fashions on the Field for men, women and children, an open bar and a luncheon as well as smaller food stalls, novelty races, entertainment and activities for the kids,” said the club’s Sharon Smith.

“There is ample parking and shade areas with betting facilities available on the day.”

Feature event is the Geronimo Farm Equipment Walgett Cup over 1400m. Last year the race was taken out by the Graeme Brooker-trained Plectrum when ridden by Chelsea Ings.

UPCOMING NSW COUNTRY RACE MEETINGS
Monday: Ballina
Tuesday: Wagga, Scone
Friday: Goulburn, Coffs Harbour
Saturday: Narrandera, Bligh picnics at Mudgee (non-TAB), Walgett (non-TAB)
Sunday: Coonamble, Wauchope Cup (at Port Macquarie)