Addington to get Friday night Smackdown

[Wandering Eyes]

By Michael Guerin

Trainer Steven Reid almost doesn’t want to use the big “J word” when assessing the chances of debutante filly Smackdown at Addington tonight.

But as is always the case Reid can’t help but be honest and frank about the recent stunning trial winner.

“When she was coming up earlier in the season I thought there wasn’t anything between her and Jumal,” says Reid.

There it is. Reid has mentioned Smackdown in the same breath as Jumal (pictured above), the Diamond Creek Stakes winner in April who is unbeaten in three starts and might be the most exciting juvenile pacer in the country.

Reid is quick to temper the expectations around Smackdown in Race 6, the It’s Time To Book With Woodlands Mobile Pace (7.40pm) tonight but she still has plenty going for her in a field lacking experienced rivals.

“She was right up there with Jumal when they were coming up but she kept growing, which saw her weaken off a bit.

“She is almost 16 hands now but she still has plenty of ability.”

Smackdown showed that when she beat her sole rival by 16 lengths in a recent Ashburton trial, pacing 1:56.6 for the mile.

“She is obviously a really lovely filly but this was originally supposed to be a fillies only race and it is always harder taking on the boys in these races.”

Reid says his only other problem with Smackdown is her trainer’s fresh up record.

“I don’t often win with them on debut,” he laughs.

“It is something I haven’t done a lot of, training horses to win on debut but she is a good filly and Samantha Ottley who drove her in that trial said she jogged it.”

Aided by the scratching of one of the favourites in Franco Ankara, Smackdown is $2.60 with the TAB but there has been some interest in the Cullen-trained Zeus Lightning, who has been $8.50 to $3.50.

As for Reid’s stable star Jumal, he will be back at the trials on August 13 and 20 as a Sires’ Stakes campaign looms.

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