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Smith pick ups travelling expenses after mixed day at Caloundra

1 September 2018

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By Glenn Davis

Trainer Brian Smith picked up the expenses for an Hawaiian holiday when Belle Roc made it back-to wins at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.

Belle Roc, having only her fourth start, powered home to down Sugar Sizzle by a short neck in the QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1400m).

A Man To Match battled on well for third, a short half head away in a blanket finish.

Belle Roc was runner-up at her first two starts at the Gold Coast and Ipswich before breaking her maiden status with a dominant win at the Sunshine Coast on August 19.

Belle Roc, a daughter of Rip Van Winkle, was well ridden by Gold Coast rider Scott Galloway who has had a long and successful association over many years with Smith.

Smith is regarded as one of the country’s best trainers of stayers and Belle Roc looks destined to fit into the category.

Galloway made the two-hour trip for the one ride at the Sunshine Coast before heading back to ride at the Gold Coast later in the day.

However, Smith’s jubilation with Belle Roc was short lived as his star galloper Order Again went down in the following race, the Open Handicap (1600m).

Order Again travelled near the rear of the field in a dawdling run race but looked to have it in his keeping halfway down the straight before hanging in badly.

He failed to peg back Toowoomba galloper Prioritise who scored by one length with third placegetter, Glitra only a nose away.

Order Again was earmarked for the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Doomben in June but was ruled out with a leg injury after winning the Grand Prix Stakes.

The five-year-old made a successful comeback winning over 1350 metres at Doomben on August 11 to confirm plans to head to Sydney this month for the Kingston Town Stakes.

However, Order Again’s defeat could force a change of plans from Smith.

Smith has a huge opinion of Order Again and has never given up the battle despite a series of setbacks.

Trainer Steve Tregea was delighted with Prioritise’s win but admitted he had reservations in the run.

“He’s improved out of sight since he stepped up in distance but he was over racing and throwing his head around," Tregea said.

“I wasn’t sure he would win until half way down the straight.”

Tregea said Prioritise was unlikely to return to Sydney despite the gelding finishing fourth at Rosehill on August 11.

“I haven’t had a look at the program but I doubt he’d go back as he’d be better suited up here,” Tregea said.

Racing Queensland webnews  Sept 1