Vandyke expects a relaxed Weona Smartone on his home track

By Jordan Gerrans

Trainer David Vandyke is hoping to see the fruits of his team’s labour on Friday evening at their home track as Weona Smartone is out to show he can be more relaxed in his races.

Weona Smartone - who is three from four in his young career - was a somewhat shock nomination for a Friday night Benchmark 70 Handicap at Caloundra following his first-up Saturday metropolitan victory just over a month ago.

As Vandyke - who is fourth on the Queensland metropolitan trainers’ premiership this season - explains, he is keen to see his promising four-year-old settle a little more.

“I think he did a few things wrong; he over-raced a bit and I do not think he is the finished product just yet,” Vandyke said of his last start win in a Class 3 Colts and Geldings race.

“I think he was doing it on raw ability and we have done a couple of things to try and get him to couple back to us and settle a bit better.

“I am hoping to see the fruits of our labour in Friday night’s race.”

Weona Smartone jumps from a wide gate on Friday night but has plenty of speed and should be able to find a nice spot on the speed.

The son of Shamexpress has led in all of his three career wins.

“We just need him to relax, be more comfortable and come back to us without overdoing it,” Vandyke said.

“This is not an easy race he is going into, but I do take comfort that the second, third and fourth horses from his last start have all gone on to win since.”

Vandyke takes just one of his stable for the opening day of the TAB Queensland Winter Racing Carnival, with Cloak the top-weight in the hot Class 6 Handicap over a mile. 

He says Cloak should roll forward to stay out of trouble and expects the gelding to run well.

Meanwhile, the Sunshine Coast Turf Club is planning for a bumper crowd to welcome in the Labour Day long weekend at this year’s "Hops and Horses" Friday twilight races.

The mix of Friday twilight racing, local craft brewers, food trucks along with live music is expected to prove popular with patrons.

"We expect this event will once again prove popular with locals and visitors enjoying the relaxed atmosphere on the Friday leading into the Labour Day long weekend,” club CEO John Miller said.

“This year we are turning it up a notch with live entertainment from Boom Crash Opera’s Dale Ryder and Taxiride’s Jason Singh performing after the last race.

“The feeling is we have the right mix with the craft brewers, food trucks along with live music to create a special event that will become a permanent fixture on the calendar."

General Admission is just $20 for adults while children under-18 will be able to enter for free.

A Hops and Horses Premium Pass is $30 per person and includes admission, a craft beer, and a burger.

For all the details, including a full list of brewers and food trucks, and to pre-purchase tickets please visit the Sunshine Coast Turf Club website or phone 5491 6788 during office hours.