Trainer Smith bullish ahead of Divine Vicky’s run at Newcastle
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Recent strong city form has trainer Matthew Smith confident of success when he takes Divine Vicky to Newcastle on Tuesday to contest a Benchmark 68 Handicap over 1200 metres.
Divine Vicky charged home to score at Scone three starts ago and has since started at Warwick Farm and the Kensington track at Randwick, finishing sixth and second respectively.
There are eight races scheduled for Newcastle on Tuesday.Credit: Getty
“She’s racing in top form at the moment,” said the Warwick Farm-based Smith. “The win at Scone was very good, and her runs in town since then have also been very good.”
Divine Vicky was beaten under two lengths behind Fire Lane at Warwick Farm, then hit the line well to finish second to subsequent Saturday city winner Eagle Nest on the Kensington track.
“She drops in class at Newcastle which should suit her and Ashley Morgan, who won on her at Scone, gets back on her,” Smith said. “She’s drawn well and she should take plenty of beating.”
Smith will also have Surfers Royale lining up against Divine Vicky, and the trainer said he is not out of contention either.
“He’s won a couple of races already, and he resumed from a spell with a nice effort at Gosford even though he missed a place,” said Smith. “He’s come through that run well, and I think he’ll give a good account of himself.”
Smith also has Good Lieutenant in a Benchmark 64 Handicap over 900 metres.
“Good Lieutenant is showing a bit of promise,” said Smith. “His form last preparation was pretty solid, and he resumed at Kembla Grange and did the job well to score.
“He’s back 100 metres in distance which I don’t think will be any problem. He can race in a prominent position, and I’m happy with how he’s done since the Kembla Grange win.
“Shaun Guymer won on him the other day, and he sticks with him at Newcastle. It looks to be a pretty open race, but he is definitely one of the chances, and I’d be disappointed if he didn’t figure prominently again.”
Supplied by Racing NSW
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au
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