Smerdon scared of Brave Smash at Valley

Trainer Robert Smerdon says you should never miss a race because of one horse.

However, the presence of Brave Smash in a Moonee Valley stakes race has him concerned.

The Darren Weir-trained Brave Smash is the $1.60 favourite for Saturday’s Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Stakes in which Smerdon is represented by Oak Door and Reldas.

Oak Door is the $7 second pick with Reldas a $31 outsider.

Brave Smash was luckless on his Australian debut finishing second behind Vega Magic in the Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield last month.

Vega Magic has since won the Memsie Stakes while Brave Smash has been short-listed for the ATC’s slot in next month’s The Everest at Randwick.

“It looks like we’re running for second with that horse of Weiry’s in the race,” Smerdon said.

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Smerdon said Oak Door had drawn awkwardly in barrier 11 of 13 and is considering holding off for Flemington on Saturday week.

He said options were the Bobbie Lewis Stakes over the straight 1200m or The Sofitel over 1400m.

“We’ll have a think about whether he runs or we pick another race,” Smerdon said.

“It’s that time of year, there’s no soft races. There’s always depth in every race, even at the midweeks.”

Smerdon said Reldas will take his place.

He said the 1200m at Moonee Valley was ideal for Reldas who has nine placings, including five wins, from 13 starts at the track.

“If he runs second in a stakes race it’s good prize money,” Smerdon said.

Reldas was a last-start fourth behind Vega Magic and Brave Smash in the Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield.