By Tony Megahey
Warwick Farm strike trainer Matthew Smith is primed to continue winning momentum at Sunday’s Nowra TAB meeting.
Smith’s meticulous placing was again evidenced in Melbourne on Wednesday when rising staying import Villardo ($26) upset strongly fancied Darren Weir, Michael Moroney and Damien Oliver runners over 2400m at Sandown.
Smith has three promising types engaged throughout the popular Shoalhaven track’s seven-race programme that at present is rated a heavy nine.
The combination of Smith and former star apprentice Nick Heywood, who is now a fully- fledged jockey, can be followed with confidence. Heywood has five rides at the meeting and also has strong prospects for another Warwick Farm trainer, Bruce Cross.
Meanwhile Smith opens with dual race winning four-year- old mare Jayaqua in the Bradley Photographers 1200m BM 55. Significantly she won both races at Nowra, including a soft track success. Jayaqua is fitter for three runs from a spell and successive barrier trails. She carries 61kg for Heywood.
Smith’s lightly raced gelding Moralist contests the Bomaderry Bowling Club 1100m Class I, improved by one run from a spell when favourite at Goulburn after a dominant maiden win at Wagga last preparation. Recent barrier trails at Goulburn and Hawkesbury have Moralist primed with 59kg for Heywood.
Three-year-old gelding Want to Bolt brings the convincing form for Smith of successive runner up placings at Scone into a 1400m class 3 for Mitchell Bell. With fine weather predicted, a track upgrade is likely for Sunday.
View the fields, form and race replays for Nowra's Sunday meeting here.