Smith stayers start out in Premier’s Cup
Grey Lion will be one of two imports that trainer Matthew Smith will start in the Premier’s Cup.
Like many Australian trainers, Matthew Smith has developed an affinity for overseas stayers and is looking forward to the Premier’s Cup at Rosehill with Grey Lion and Sweet Thomas.
Grey Lion is tried and tested under local conditions while German import Sweet Thomas will be having his first Australian start in Saturday’s Group Three race.
Smith sent Grey Lion to Randwick for a 1200m-barrier trial on Tuesday morning and was pleased with his midfield finish, 1-3/4 lengths from the winner, Doncaster Mile runner-up Dreamforce.
“I wanted to trial him on a track with a bit of give in it and after the rain he got that,” Smith said.
“I don’t have any concerns about him backing up on Saturday.
“The 1900 metres is going to be too short for both of the horses but I think they will run well.
“Sweet Thomas is a horse I really like and he is a St Leger winner over 2800 metres in Germany.
“It’s a lot of work sourcing the horses and doing their form but it’s great for owners because they get here and then we can get them up and running.
“I really like them. Most of them seem to suit Australian racing.”
Grey Lion has not raced since his second in the Brisbane Cup and will be on a path to the Group One Metropolitan Handicap on October 5.
“He will run in the Kingston Town after Saturday and so will Sweet Thomas who will then go to the St Leger or the Bart Cummings in Melbourne,” Smith said.
Sydney Cup winner, the Chris Waller-trained Shraaoh, has top weight of 59.5kg in the Premier’s Cup with Grey Lion, to be ridden by Kathy O’Hara, to carry 58kg and Sweet Thomas 56.5kg with Jason Collett to ride.
Waller also has former West Australian Come Play With Me entered for his first Sydney start after four straight wins in Perth.
Premier’s Cup Prelude winner, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Wolfe, will carry 53kg.
Wolfe was one of four horses Waterhouse bought in Japan as weanlings and is on a path the spring Cups in Melbourne.
Smith would like to think Grey Lion and Sweet Thomas could also get to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
“Sweet Thomas would have no trouble with the 3200 metres of the Melbourne Cup,” he said.
“Grey Lion – is he a true two-miler? I’m not so sure.
“But if he was to win the Metropolitan and get into the race then I would love to have a runner.”
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