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Smith aiming for Cup blowout

3 minute read

Matthew Smith is looking to cause an Australian Cup boilover when he saddles Esti Feny at Flemington.

ESTI FENY.
ESTI FENY. Picture: Steve Hart

Trainer Matthew Smith knows his charge Esti Feny faces a difficult assignment when he lines up in the Australian Cup at Flemington

The Hungarian-bred import is the $126 rank outsider for the Group 1 contest over 2000m on Saturday, but the Australian Cup has been known to throw up long-priced winners. 

Lindsay Park galloper Harlem won at $61 in 2018 and followed up the following year at $31. 

Further back, Roman Arch scored at $51 in 2004 while Dulcify, one of the best gallopers to grace Flemington in a brilliant, but short-lived career, won the race in 1979 at $81. 

Smith, who has a satellite stable at Flemington which he opened with six boxes earlier in the year, said success on Saturday would be a good advertisement for his new stable, but at the same time says he is realistically hoping to just collect some prize money. 

Prize money is paid down to eighth and with nine runners engaged, Esti Feny needs to beat one home to pick up $60,000. 

Esti Feny finished third behind Young Werther in the Australian Cup Prelude (1800m) on March 9 and Smith said a lack of pace in that race did not suit the gelding. 

One thing Smith said was in the gelding's favour on Saturday was the likelihood of a solid tempo. 

"I had him in up in Sydney as well and I looked at both races and I thought at least there would be a solid tempo in Melbourne," Smith said. 

"There's only nine acceptors and I thought we would try and beat one home and if we finish fifth there will be a little better prize. 

"The quicker they go, the better his chance of being in the finish. He just needs a steady gallop. 

"I don't know whether he's good enough to beat those better ones, but we're hoping he might be the shock of the Carnival." 

Esti Feny was taken back to NSW after his Australian Cup Prelude and spent time at Smith's country property. 

"We've got a deep sand track up there which he likes," Smith said. 

"We took him back there and then brought him down for a trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, just to tick him over. 

"He's fit and well." 


Racing and Sports

Chantilly

Saturday, 30th March 2024

2
13:58
(local)

PRIX DE LA ROUTE MILLARD

Age: 3yo WT: 52.5kg Type: HCP
EUR €25,000
1300m ALL WEATHER STANDARD
2
13:58
(local)
EUR €25,000
1300m STANDARD

PRIX DE LA ROUTE MILLARD

Age: 3yo WT: 52.5kg Type: HCP
FP Silk Horse, Age & Sex
Sire & Dam
Jockey
Trainer
SP
WT
1st 9. GOLDFIELD (FR) 3yo C
PROFITABLE (IRE) - GOLD SISTER (FR)
EDDY HARDOUIN
STEPHAN CERULIS
$5.4
57kg
ECURIE GALAXY II/G.BARBARIN

Sales Information

2nd 8. TEMPO (FR) 3yo G
INVINCIBLE ARMY (IRE) - BAILEYS COQUETTE (FR)
TONY PICCONE
HENRI ALEX PANTALL
$13
57kg
J.CYGLER/P.NATAF

Sales Information

3rd 4. TEMPLETON (FR) 3yo F
LE HAVRE (IRE) - REGGANE (GB)
HUGO BESNIER
JESSICA DUPONT-FAHN
$4.8
58kg
BRIAN DUNN

Sales Information

4th 7. ELKABIER (FR) 3yo G
EL KABEIR (USA) - NOOSHIN (GB)
ANTHONY CRASTUS
MARKUS NIGGE
$9.3
57.5kg

Sales Information

5th 10. GOLDEN GLOBE (FR) 3yo G
INTELLO (GER) - KATELYNS KISS (USA)
MARIE VELON
ALESSANDRO & GIUSEPPE BOTTI
$10
54.5kg

Sales Information

6th 1. MISTER GAN (GB) 3yo C
INVINCIBLE ARMY (IRE) - BABETTE (IRE)
JACKY NICOLEAU
ALICJA KARKOSA
$38
59kg

Sales Information

7th 3. TAHINI (FR) 3yo C
NEW BAY (GB) - SIDERANTE (FR)
RONAN THOMAS
C & Y LERNER
$3.9
58kg

Sales Information

8th 12. BATAREIKA (IRE) 3yo F
DE TREVILLE (GB) - BARAKET FAYROUZ (FR)
FABRICE VERON
GEORGIOS ALIMPINISIS
$54
53.5kg

Sales Information

9th 11. LAURELLA BERE (FR) 3yo F
TAJ MAHAL (IRE) - TRIPLE WITCHING (USA)
CESAR BELMONT
LUIGI MACELI
$97
52.5kg

Sales Information

10th 2. BAYLINER (FR) 3yo C
RIBCHESTER (IRE) - QATAR HOPE (GB)
AURELIEN LEMAITRE
FABRICE VERMEULEN
$9.2
58.5kg

Sales Information

11th 6. AMOUREUSE (FR) 3yo F
SOMMERABEND (GB) - MASINA CITY (FR)
FRIDA VALLE SKAR
P&F ADDA & RENAUT
$19
56kg
12th 5. PANAY (GB) 3yo F
SOLDIER HOLLOW (GB) - PHOIBE (GB)
THEO BACHELOT
MARKUS MUNCH
$20
58kg

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