Horrifying outguns Melbourne Cup 2024 aspirant Berkshire Breeze

In his own words, Lindsay Smith is hesitant to become cocky by making any grand statements on the levels Horrifying could reach over the next few months, but he is willing to enjoy the return to form the seven-year-old has found after winning at Flemington.

Horrifying ($9.50), ridden by Blake Shinn, joined Smith’s Warrnambool stable prior to that city’s May Racing Carnival this year and after disappointing on debut for him over 1700-metres, a spell and change in training has since seen the gelding return two wins at headquarters over 2000-metres in July and this one in the Inside Run Trophy (2530m).

“We thought we’d be on the speed similar to the other day and Blake thought he’d be (positioned) one or two early and he obviously did his form,” Smith said.

“He trusted the horse’s fitness and obviously he is back to his best so that is a good result for everyone.

“We didn’t change much in the two weeks. It was just keeping him happy and that is all we’ve done with him down at the beach.”

While the seven-year-old is back in the winners’ list, Smith is keeping it cool on where the gelding could reach.

“We’ll see what turns up next,” he added.

“This horse likes staying, likes Flemington and some give in the ground helped as well.

“I can’t go all cocky now as I didn’t know what would happen a couple of weeks ago.

“Surf’s up and we’ll go with that.”

Pre-race interest focused on Melbourne Cup aspirant Berkshire Breeze ($1.45) who led to the home turn with Horrifying as company in the run, but while the latter was expected to drop away, Smith’s charge found more to win by 2½-lengths.

“Forget his price, he ran really well but the winner was too good,” Berkshire Breeze’s jockey Ethan Brown said.

Also with Cups in mind, Lloyd Williams’ import Post Impressionist ($5) carried the topweight of 60-kilos and finished less than four lengths from the winner.