Trainer Matt Smith chooses softer option for French Endeavour
Matt Smith has opted to dodge taking on the better mares in the Hot Danish Stakes in favour of a benchmark assignment as he bids to get another win on the board for French Endeavour.
The four-year-old has been scratched from Saturday’s Group 2 assignment in preference for the Kia Ora Prague Handicap (1400m) on the undercard with Smith choosing to continue to build her confidence over chasing more black type at this stage.
French Endeavour has been twice Group placed in The Vanity (1400m) and PJ Bell Stakes (1200m) earlier this year and a return to stakes company is likely in the future.
“We want to get her back winning and get a bit of confidence, that’s why we have kept her to benchmark races,” Smith said.
“If they win a benchmark race impressively enough, then you can go to a black-type race.
“The ability is there. She just got a bit lost last prep. She had a couple of tough runs in good company and lost her way a little bit, so we just want to get her back in the swing of things and get her winning.”
French Endeavour was narrowly edged out first-up at Warwick Farm before posting an impressive Kensington track win at her next start.
She was blocked for a run until halfway up the straight at her latest appearance, surging late once clear to just miss behind Need Some Luck at Warwick Farm.
From barrier five at Rosehill and with apprentice Zac Waddick’s three-kilo claim reducing her impost to 56.5kg, Smith is optimistic she will run boldly again.
“She has been good. Last start she was a little bit unlucky and first-up she got grabbed late,” he said.
“She has been around the money and she is running well.”
French Endeavour is one of two Rosehill runners for Smith along with Royal Robbins, who backs up from a 2000m run at Rosehill last week into the TAB Handicap (2400m).
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...