3 minute read

After a heavy fall in the Grand Annual Steeplechase, San Remo is back at Warrnambool 12 months later.

Confidence lost, everything lost. 

It is what punters say, but it can also transfer over to horses and have an effect on their careers. 

Trainer Dane Smith has had to rebuild the confidence of San Remo following a fall in the Grand Annual Steeplechase at Warrnambool last year. 

After two wins to start the 2023 jumps season, San Remo is back at the Warrnambool May Carnival to contest the Galleywood Hurdle (3200m) on Wednesday. 

Smith said San Remo suffered a muscle tear in his neck following his fall, but after work with the chiropractor and some acupuncture, he was ready to head back to the races. 

But when it came to a jumps race, Smith soon realised the scars from the Grand Annual Steeplechase were still there for San Remo. 

So, Smith went back to basics in a bid to regain San Remo's confidence. 

"He tore a little muscle in his neck, so he needed some chiro, acupuncture and a bit of rehabilitation, but overall, he's good considering how bad the fall was," Smith said. 

"We thought he was in a fair bit of strife. 

"We got him back, gave him a flat run and were going to aim at the Grand National Steeple, but we soon realised that he had lost his confidence, so we pulled the pin and did a lot of work in the off-season. 

"We took him back to basics at home, did some show jumping, going over logs and that sort of stuff just getting him jumping again." 

Part of the plan has been to keep San Remo to the smaller jumps so far this season, with wins at Terang and Warrnambool while he was a last start fourth to Blandford Lad in the M J Bourke Hurdle at Pakenham on April 16. 

"It was great to see him back winning and even in last run at Pakenham, the M J Bourke, it was terrific as well," Smith said. 

"I'm hoping the rain stays away a bit. 

"He's probably better on top of the ground, so if it's not too wet, it should suit him."