By Glenn Davis
Trainer Chris Munce is hoping former South African jockey Sean Cormack can continue his successful association with talented mare Smartypy at Ipswich on Wednesday.
The Group 1-winning jockey rode his first winner back in the saddle following a knee injury when Smartypy was successful at Ipswich on April 10.
Smartypy’s win was in a Benchmark 65 Handicap over 1100 metres and will be stepping up to a Benchmark 70 Handicap (1000m) in her attempt at back-to-back wins.
“She gets back but she hit form last start and she handles the wet,” Munce said.
“Sean got the ride on her basically because he was riding work for me before she won last time.”
Cormack has ridden more than 1500 winners during his career in South Africa, Asia and Australia after originally coming to Australia to ride for the late Bruce McLachlan at the Sunshine Coast 11 years ago.
He was sidelined for an extended period after hurting his knee in a race at Ipswich in May last year and didn’t return to the saddle until last month.
Cormack has won three races since making his riding comeback, also scoring aboard the Stu Kendrick-trained Mymming at Eagle Farm on April 13 and on Dreamscope for trainer Rob Heathcote at the Sunshine Coast on Sunday.
Smartypy is one of three Ipswich rides for Cormack who also is booked for Clairvue Spirit in the Sirromet Maiden Plate (1350m) and Lips in the Schweppes Maiden Plate (1350m).
Munce also has Johnny Whitesox and Expertea set to clash in the Benchmark 70 Handicap (1200m).
Johnnywhitesox is having his first start since tailing the field in a Class Four at Doomben in November but has benefited from a recent barrier trial placing at Doomben in March.
Expertea beat one runner home at her last appearance in a 1690-metre Class Three at Ipswich in December.
Expertea, a daughter of Al Maher, has started 17 times for three wins and four placings but has managed only one placing in five first-up attempts.
Johnnywhitesox has three wins and as many placings from 12 starts but has a good first-up record with a win and a second from three starts.
“At this stage both of them will be running but I’ll wait until tomorrow before making a final decision with the heavy track at Ipswich,” Munce said.
“It’s not ideal to start them off on a heavy track. Johnny Whitesox didn’t come up last time in but hopefully he’s back on track.”
Racing Queensland webnews April 23