By Ray Hickson
A return to stakes company is on the cards for French Endeavour if she runs up to trainer Matthew Smith’s hopes at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
The four-year-old was twice Group placed earlier in the year but after 12 months out of the winner’s stall Smith has kept her back to benchmark level in two runs this spring and she’ll chase successive wins in the James Squire Handicap (1400m).
“We thought we’d come back and give her the confidence, she’s been running well in good races but we need to win some races,’’ Smith said.
“She was good the other day, she’s going well and there’s no reason she can’t do it again.”
Smith said there are plenty of options for the mare in the next month or so but feels the Group 2 $500,000 Hot Danish Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on November 9 is a good one.
French Endeavour, $2.80 with TAB on Tuesday, carried 60kg to win in fillies and mares company on the Kensington track two weeks ago and she’ll have the same weight and jockey, with James McDonald retaining the ride.
“We’ve dropped her back in grade for a couple of runs and then we’ll see if we can have a crack at something. (The Hot Danish) would probably be a nice race to go to if she could win this and be impressive,'' Smith said.
French Endeavour wins at Kensington on October 9
“James thought she went very well. This race looked like it would be another race she could be hard to beat in, and hopefully win again, and then we go from there.
“The other day was fillies and mares and this one’s not so there’s a bit more depth in it and she’ll have to be at the top of her game to win it.”
While French Endeavour has struck winning form again, stablemate Anythink Goes is looking to get his preparation back on track in the same event and Smith said he’d expect an improved showing.
The gelding didn’t fire at all in his first three runs back but Smith saw merit in his sixth behind Well Timed at Randwick a month ago.
“He got held up last start at a crucial time when he was building his revs up,’’ he said.
“He doesn’t have a big turn of foot and then he had a little setback. He has been working really well at home. I’m sure he won’t be far away.
“This prep started off average and the next couple of runs we haven’t had any luck but he’s back on track I think.”
Meanwhile, Smith’s Big Dance runner Floating warmed up for the $3 million feature at Randwick on November 5 with a barrier trial win over 1200m on Tuesday morning.
All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting