In-form Ability wins again at Flemington

The Robert Smerdon-trained Ability has continued his rise through the sprinting ranks during the off-peak period in Melbourne with a convincing win in the Listed All Victorian Sprint Series Final.

Well supported as $2.90 favourite in Saturday’s 1200m straight race at Flemington, Ability settled behind the speed before bursting through when a gap appeared at the business end of the race.

The gelding went on to beat Duke Of Brunswick ($11) by a length with last year’s winner Ruettiger ($6) another long head away third.

Ability is now unbeaten in his three starts this campaign since returning from a lengthy break during which he had a bone chip removed and was also gelded.

Smerdon said the gelding operation was definitely one of the factors in the sprinter now realising his potential on the racetrack.

“He also had to have a bone chip removed and it was an enforced lay-off,” Smerdon said.

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“It just made us give him a really long break. He had four months, spelled really well and he was bigger physically with a better brain.”

Smerdon said his first thoughts would be to give Ability a short break before aiming him at sprint races deep into the spring carnival.

The suspended Craig Williams was booked to ride Ability but missed the meeting through a careless riding suspension, with Dwayne Dunn picking up the ride.

He said Ability travelled sweetly before the run appeared between Rough Justice and Tashbeeh.

“The run came probably a little earlier than I would have liked,” he said.

“The concern going into today was the 1200 metres. He hadn’t ticked that box yet. But the gelding operation has made a huge difference.”

Dunn rode a feature double on the day with his other win coming on exciting colt Royal Symphony in the Taj Rossi Series Final.