Trainer Tom Smith flying high for Mackay feature

By Glenn Davis

Young Rockhampton trainer Tom Smith's dreams of becoming a pilot will remain on hold for the time being while he chases North Queensland Classic riches with former Caloundra galloper Bayerische at Mackay on Saturday.

The 21-year-old Smith started a pilot licence course when he was in Grade 10 of high school but was forced to put it on hold when he became too busy working with horses.

“I started my pilot’s course and completed 50 hours training when I was in Grade 10 but I was breaking in horses at the time and I got too busy to finish it,” Smith said.

“Eventually I want to go back and do a refresher course to complete my pilot’s licence course.”

Tom is the son of popular Rockhampton trainer Fred Smith.

Bayerische was previously trained by Stuart Kendrick at the Sunshine Coast before Smith’s brother-in-law Jesse Beak purchased him for $17,000 at an online auction to race with some close friends.

The four-year-old has only one win to his name in 23 starts but since he’s been with Smith he’s run three placings from eight starts.

Smith added blinkers to Bayerische’s gear for the first time last start when he finished a close fourth to Dawson Diamond in a Benchmark race at Yeppoon on September 23.

“He’s got a few quirks about him and has a habit of laying in,” Smith said.

“He’s got this habit of laying in so I put blinkers on for the first time last start and he’ll have a lugging bit on the first time on Saturday,.

“He wears a bit of tackle as he also races in a crossover nose band and wears a bubble cheeker.

“I think he’s got a good chance this time and he’ll be in the market.”

His last run at Yeppoon was Bayerische’s first attempt over 1800 metres and Smith has no doubt he will cope with the same trip on Saturday and further.

“Les Tilley rode him last time and he reckons he will run 2000 metres,” Smith said.

“Les said he tracked into the race nicely at Yeppoon but he copped a bit of trouble and was hit over the head with the whip.”

While most of Bayerische’s opposition are untried over 1800 metres, the son of All Too Hard has been placed behind a Group 1 winner.

Bayerische met Group 1 Surround Stakes winner Hinged three times in July last year, placing third at Ipswich and Doomben, before he was transferred to Sydney’s Chris Waller.