LEADING Warrnambool trainer Lindsey Smith will be looking to New Zealand-bred gallopers Mr Cancun and Our Wind Spirit to provide a positive end to a sad week for the astute mentor at Flemington on Saturday.
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Smith and his staff were dealt a sad blow when stable star Scales Of Justice suffered a heart attack and died while doing light work at Warrnambool's Lady Bay on Thursday.
The lightly-raced Mr Cancun and Our Wind Spirit are jumping up in class but Smith, who also has stables in Perth, is hoping the two gallopers will be up to the challenges.
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"It's been a tough few days for our stable staff in Warrnambool and Perth and the owners of Scales Of Justice," Smith told The Standard.
"Racing people understand theses sorts of things can happen with horses but it's still tough because we get so attached to them.
"We've got Mr Cancun and Our Wind Spirit lining up at Flemington. They both have shown promise on the provincial and country circuit. We've lifted the bar with both horses on Saturday.
"Mr Cancun has had two runs back from a break and is looking for the 1600 metres while Our Wind Spirit put in a big effort travelling wide in a benchmark 70 race last time.
"He jumps to a benchmark 78 and I'm hoping his up to the class lift."
Champion jockey Michael Rodd, who has formed a formidable combination with Smith, rides both horses.
The Smith stable is on fire with five winners on Thursday. One on the synthetic at Ballarat and four at Northam in Western Australia.
Honest Warrnambool-trained filly Kuramae lines up for Matthew Williams in a $108,000 three-year-old race at Flemington.
Kuramae has won two of her five starts at the famous racecourse.
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