The 2024 season has been one of success for northwest coast trainer Geoff Smith.
He has trained 12 winners this season, one more than last term, and currently has a 32% strike rate of his runners finishing among the top three placings.
“The team has been going good. We have been getting a lot of placings almost every week. A few of them are getting a bit old, so I will have to trade some in soon, I reckon,” said Smith.
Smith rates American Ideal gelding Im Quite American as one of his best chances to add to his tally of wins when he lines up in the Dakin Refrigeration Stakes (1680m) in Launceston on Friday night.
The eight-year-old won in Launceston two starts ago, and from barrier two over the sprint trip, the trainer is keen on his chances.
“It’s a mile, and that suits him down to the ground. He has got heaps of gate speed. He will lead easily, and I think he can win that race.
“He can pull, but if you let him run along or tuck him in behind another horse, he doesn’t pull.
“Being a mile, I reckon we will let him bowl along,” said Smith about the Kayleb Williams drive.
Also engaged in the race is Chris Be Quick, who will be driven by Brodie Davis from barrier five.
“We never drive him forward, but last week, I told Kayleb (Williams) we will drive him forward. He sat in the breeze, and it was the best he had gone for a long time.
“Five is a sticky draw. I don’t know what we will do with him. I’ll make my mind up on Friday if we go forward or back from the draw,” the trainer said.
Smith has two other runners engaged at the meeting, including Memphis in race two.
“He can pull a bit. We have changed the bit on him and he should go alright on Friday.
While last start winner Ce Pe Three will represent Smith’s stable in race five.
“He is working well. We are going to try to get off the fence as quickly as we can.
“I’m happy with him, and if he can get a good run into the race, he will take some running down,” said Smith.
The seven-race Launceston card commences at 17:21 and can be seen on the usual media platforms of TasracingTV and Sky Racing 2.
