Smug to renew rivalry with West Coast

Last year’s Hawke’s Bay Steeplechase (4800m) was one of the spectacles of the season, with Smug just nabbing Champion jumper West Coast on the line after the pair went head-to-head from the 800m.

That effort told on Smug, who was sent for a spell after two subsequent runs, and trainer Chris Wood is looking forward to renewing their rivalry with West Coast on Sunday in the Waikato Hunt Cup (3900m) at Te Rapa.

“The Hawke’s Bay Chase, when he won, might have taken more out of him than I realised and he was a bit flat after that,” Wood said.

“He didn’t appear flat but he raced a bit flat, so I said to the owner that we better put him out, give him a nice break and then he will be ready to go and do some hill work up at Shelley’s (Wright) and we will be on the front foot (for this season). I think it was a wise decision in the end.”

Wood has been pleased with the way Smug has returned, having undertaken the early part of his preparation at Shelley Wright’s Glen Massey property.

“He is a happy horse, he was up at Shelley Wright’s up the hills at the back of Huntly for a good bit of his work this year before he came back to the stables, and Shelley and her team did a great job with him,” Wood said.

“The horse came back in really good order, he was right up to galloping stage when I got him, so that helped us a lot, and I think that will hold him in good stead for his return.”

Wood believes Smug is up to the task this weekend, but has concerns over the track, which is currently rated a Soft5.

“He won a steeplechase trial here (Cambridge) last week, he jumped well and did everything right,” Wood said. “It was only 2700m and he has got to go 3900m on Sunday, but he is pretty forward.

“It will be a bit of a testing race because the track is going to be really firm, so they won’t be loitering.”

With a prestige jumps title under his belt, Wood is hoping Smug can add a couple more to his tally this season.

“The Waikato Chase will be the next on the list and we will follow the path from there,” he said. “The Northern will be the ultimate aim with everything going right.”

Wood will also head to Te Rapa with Modelo, who will be seeking to breakthrough for his maiden win in the Foy and Halse Lawyers 2200.

“He hasn’t had much luck lately,” Wood said. “He ran second behind Solid Gold at Auckland, which was a really good run, and last week he just got a bit far back.

“He is a horse that is going to win a couple of races. It is quite a strong maiden field, but he is right on his game.”