Getting Leggie gets Smart on Bool board
A first Warrnambool carnival win has only whetted the appetite of former South Australian trainer Nick Smart.
After setting up in Ballarat just under 12 months ago, Smart had his first carnival runners on Tuesday and Wednesday before Getting Leggie broke through in the Hammonds Paints Champion Novice Hurdle on Thursday.
“The first two weren’t real good chances on Tuesday and Wednesday but were disappointing,” Smart said.
“It wasn’t the best start for the week but this bloke was always going to be the best chance if we could knock off the favourite.”
Ridden by Steve Pateman, Getting Leggie held off the fast-finishing Police Camp by a neck with favourite Duke Of Boneo another 1-1/4 lengths third.
Smart originally intended to start Getting Leggie in the steeplechase on Wednesday but reasoned there wasn’t enough time after the horse’s Hamilton Hurdle placing on April 20.
“We thought it would be too much to run him at Hamilton and trial him in between and go to the steeple,” Smart said.
“We’ll get him over the fences now. He’s a fantastic jumper. That’s his real strength.
“He’s only five so he should have a few good years left in him.
“How many times can we come back here, that’s the exciting thing.”
Smart said he may give Getting Leggie a brief freshen before looking for a suitable race for the gelding to start in over the bigger jumps.
“I’m not too sure of the program, but we’ll sit down and have a look and work it out,” he said.
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