Kerrod Smyth keeps runners fresh for Capricornia Yearling Sale Classic

By Jordan Gerrans

Local trainer Kerrod Smyth has no concerns about heading into Saturday’s feature Capricornia Yearling Sale Classic first-up with his two runners in the older division.

The Callaghan Park track will host two feature events for juveniles on Saturday, with $150,000 on offer in the 2YO Classic over 1200 metres while the 3&4YO’s will be running for $100,000 in prize money.

The races are restricted to gallopers that were sold locally at the Capricornia Yearling Sale.

The Rockhampton-based Smyth has two youngsters set for the older edition of the race series – Money Muncher and Tricky Beans.

Neither of the Smyth gallopers have been seen publicly at the races so far this year.

They both have trialled twice at Rockhampton and despite neither of them ever winning first-up so far in their young careers, the veteran trainer believes they have done enough to be competitive on Saturday.

“I will have them fit and ready to go,” he said.

“They race differently, Money Muncher gets back and Tricky Beans races on the pace.

“They have both done plenty of work and have trialled twice going into the race.

“I finished off their work on Wednesday morning and they will be ready.”

The Rockhampton club will run back-to-back TAB meetings across Friday and Saturday – with the major races on Saturday – before hosting their annual Capricornia Yearling Sale on the Sunday.

Money Muncher – a son of Dissident – has three career Central Queensland victories on his resume, scoring at Rockhampton, Mackay and Yeppoon in the middle and later stages of last year.

The three-year-old finished his most recent campaign with two victories on the bounce.

Smyth thinks Money Muncher will need to step up to another level on Saturday to topple Nick Walsh’s Just Super, who he believes will be hard to beat following a recent Sunshine Coast victory.

Jason Taylor was in the saddle for the Yeppoon victory in the middle of September and regains the ride for Saturday.

“He won races in company lesser than what he will meet on Saturday,” Smyth – who has been in racing for 40 years - said.

“I could not have the horse any better and Jason Taylor knows the horse well.

“Taylor has found his little niche up here and has found renewed energy.”

Money Muncher and Tricky Beans are both owned by a long-time stable client of Smyth’s, Fred Noffke.

Noffke has five in work with the team, including the impressive Real Statement.

The three-year-old filly - Real Statement – has been dominant in her last two victories at Rockhampton and the stable have metropolitan plans for the daughter of Real Impact.

“He is the son of Fred Noffke senior from Springsure that I trained for in my younger years, when I was in my 20s,” Smyth said about his loyal owner Fred Noffke.

“Fred owns a couple of properties around the Rolleston area and rang me up and asked if I would train a few horses for him.

“I ended up getting 15 from him and he has a really nice horse at the moment in Real Statement, who has won two in a row.

“Real Statement might be a city horse.”

Real Statement will contest a Class 4 Handicap on Saturday at Rockhampton over 1050 metres as she aims to make it three on the trot. 

Smyth prepared Mocial Chief to 11 CQ victories across the last two years before the five-year-old was sold to Sydney’s Bjorn Baker.

Mocial Chief has had one start for Baker this year.

The 64-year-old Smyth collected a winner on Tuesday at Mackay with Janosik getting the cash in maiden grade.

He has trained four winners from his last 10 starters.

The Smyth yard will have two starters on Friday at Callaghan Park before entering three on Saturday.