Smart returning home chasing a stakes win

Canberra trainer Todd Smart says being familiar with Caulfield is behind his decision to run Washington Towers in a stakes race in Melbourne rather than head north to Brisbane.

Washington Towers is among nominations for the Listed Redoute’s Choice Stakes at Caulfield as well as the Group Two Champagne Classic at Doomben.

Both races for two-year-olds will be run over 1200m on Saturday.

Smart spent eight years at Caulfield as foreman for Colin Little when the trainer prepared El Segundo to win the 2007 Cox Plate and Ista Kareem the 2009 Sydney Cup.

“We’re having a bit of a throw at the stumps with a horse like this,” Smart said.

“We could go up there (Doomben) but I do know Caulfield.

“The horse is good on that leg and I’ve got the confidence that he’ll run well.

“We had the option we would go to Queensland but I thought let’s give him a go here first in a Listed race and if he goes well then we can go a little bit higher or we come back a peg.

“I don’t know if this is an easier option, but it’s a more familiar option.”

Bought at the Sydney Ready To Run Sale, Washington Towers is a half-brother to Up Trumpz who has been placed at his past three outings on Sydney tracks for Joe Cleary.

Washington Towers won his debut at Wagga before being unplaced at Randwick on January 26.

After a break, Washington Towers had a tune-up in a Canberra barrier trial, finishing third in open grade over 900m on April 26.

“He won his first start and then had to do too much work from a wide barrier at his second start and pulled up shin sore that day,” Smart said.

“We put him in the paddock and he’s come back and trialled up well.

“He’ll head down Thursday to stay at Henry Dwyer’s stable at Caulfield on Thursday and Friday night and then race Saturday.”

A total of 23 two-year-olds have been entered for Saturday’s Listed race with the final field to be declared on Wednesday.