Smuggler's Bay's Day

The lightly-raced Smuggler’s Bay headlines a small but quality field in Wednesday’s feature race at Canberra, the TAB Federal (1000m). The Ron Weston & John Nisbet trained gelding has shown considerable talent in his short career with his race record reading five starts for three wins and a placing. 

Smuggler’s Bay will enter the TAB Federal after a solid hit out in a TAB Highway on Boxing Day at Royal Randwick. After being pinned wide from Barrier 12 the son of Squamosa was far from disgraced when finishing 8th of 14. Despite drawing poorly once again, drawn seven of seven, co-Trainer Ron Weston believes his promising galloper is well placed to add to his impressive resume. 

“He just can’t seem to get any luck with the barriers.” Weston said. “But he is going really well and he’s certainly a progressive horse.” 

“I thought his run in the Highway was good without being fantastic but he was coming off a nine-week break so he may have been a little fresh. He won’t be here.” 

Weston is hopeful the rain will stay away with his galloper better suited to being on top of the ground.  

“There is a bit of rain around which might play into the hands of some others, we want it dry. If things can go his way with the conditions and his run, he’s a strong chance.” 

Keith Dryden’s mare In De Sun Iwilcome will return to the track for the first time since June 2021 in the TAB Federal. The daughter of I Am Invincible has also shown a glimpse of her talent, breaking her maiden status in Provincial company at Kembla Grange. The mare will have to be quite forward first up if she is to match it with what is a quality field. 

The TAB Federal is Race Three on Wednesday’s program and is due to jump at 2:41pm. The TAB Federal marks the start of the Members Tipping Competition where Canberra Racing Club Members will play for $48,000.