Trainer Paul Smythe is hoping his return visit to Belmont Park tomorrow afternoon can produce the same result as his previous effort on April 17 when Gold Commodity scored a solid victory in the Club Burswood Handicap (1200m).
Smythe will pin his hopes on a successful return with Al Akbar mare Yes We Can in the Perth Racing Members Handicap (1650m) and judging by her recent form, three wins and a second placing from her past four starts, the four-year-old stands a wonderful opportunity of landing her maiden metropolitan win.
“I think she is some mad hope,” Smythe said.
“And if the anticipated rain in Perth arrives I won’t be disappointed as she will benefit on a rain affected surface.
“Damian (Lane) suggested she was good enough to race in town and as far as I was concerned nothing ventured nothing gained.
“Regardless of the result I will push ahead with plans to contest the Coolgardie and perhaps the Boulder Cups later in the year
“The Kalgoorlie Cup is not an option as she won’t get the distance as proven last year.”
Yes We Can was placed last in the 2009 Kalgoorlie Cup behind the Mark Reed-trained Gondorff.
Symthe believes Cool Euro has the ability to win Sunday’s Discover The Round Handicap (1780m) at Kalgoorlie but is reluctant to declare the One Cool Cat gelding a good thing despite his last-start performance.
He was as many as ten lengths behind the field soon after the start before working home strongly to be placed third behind Lottabiz in the Railway Lodge Handicap (1600m).
But Smythe has a warning for punters:
“The horse has the ability but is a bit of a head case at the moment,” Smythe said.
“He is still immature and the penny hasn’t dropped with him.
“When he puts it together I think he has the scope to be a good horse.
“He worked with the winkers earlier this week and got through it okay.
“The appointment of Damian Lane will add the experience and although he will get back from barrier ten I don’t anticipate him being as far back as last week.”
Fidelma bounced back to the winner’s list in comfortable fashion a fortnight ago and will be out to make it back-to-back victories in the Golden City Motors Stayers Series Heat (1780m).
“I’m happy with the way she is going and looking forward to the final and getting her over more ground,” Smythe aid.
“I’m more confident of going into this race as I was before her last win.”