Express Trip To Canterbury Friday Night Racing

Last season was arguably the most memorable ever for trainer Darren Smith and he’s looking to build on that momentum going into the spring carnival.

One horse he’s hoping might take him a fair way into it is Cutie Express, a mare with no shortage of promise.

Things have happened late for her, in fact at four years old she’s only had the single career start.

That was on the 8th of September at Hawkesbury in a 12 horse maiden and she made them look second rate with an easy win.

What she showed that day Smith hopes will mean she’s been worth the long wait and the patience of the owners will pay off.

“She’s taken a little bit of time to mature and grow into herself but she’s always shown she has ability,” he said.

“We’ve held off and always said to the owners lets be patient with her and we did… got her to the races and she went really well.”

She runs tonight when the Canterbury night racing series resumes in race number six, an 1100m test in a field of 10.

She’s drawn the outside gate in the race but Smith says he’s hoping to nullify that early on.

“We’ll be positive from the outside alley and if she’s going to slot in she’ll slot in and if no one wants to lead we’ll go across,” he said.

” Trackworks been terrific, she really enjoys being out here on the farm, we don’t take her to the track too much.”

Cutie Express will be ridden by Brenton Avdulla with a weight of 54.5kgs while the toppy has 59kg.

Smith also gave a quick update on the star of the stable Atomic Force who will be back in action next Friday at Moonee Valley Racecourse.

“He’s just ticking over down there in Melbourne, all reports back are he’s going really well, looking forward to Friday night,” he said.

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