3 minute read

Leading trainer Lindsey Smith has flagged a small concern with Seacorp-Hyperion Stakes (1600m) favourite God Has Chosen, warning punters his charge could be looking for a longer trip.

The gelding was superb in taking out the Group 3 Belmont Sprint (1400m) last month, where he stormed home from the rear of the field to upstage Red Can Man.

He was installed a $1.80 favourite for tomorrow's Group 3 event and has eased slightly to $1.85.

Smith said he was happy with God Has Chosen but flagged the possibility he may be ready to step up further in distance following his trackwork earlier this week.

"Last time my gut thought was he'd win," Smith told TABradio.

"I didn't feel the same the other day and I thought he was a bit dour.

"His heart rate was a little bit lower so he may have relaxed a little bit.

"Hopefully I'm not throwing anyone off because I don't mean to."

God Has Chosen has quickly progressed through the grades this campaign, winning two ratings races over 1400m and 1600m prior to the Belmont Sprint success.

Clint Johnston-Porter retains the ride on the winner at eight of his 12 career starts and has drawn perfectly in barrier six.

The son of Playing God is expected to be aimed at the Group 3 Strickland Stakes (2000m) on June 25, before a tilt at Group 1 races later this year.

Despite hinting the four-year-old was looking for further, Smith said everything else was in order.

"He's trained on good," he said.

"The vision of him training looks good.

"Joey Azzopardi does all his work and thinks he's ready to go to another stage distance wise."

Massimo finished third in the Belmont Sprint and is considered the main threat to God Has Chosen as a $6.50 TABtouch chance.

God Has Chosen will be out to continue a big start to the weekend for Smith, who took out the Golden Topaz at Swan Hill with talented sprinter Triple Missile.

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