Cluse confident Smoke Stack will eventually fire

By Josh Spasaro

Smoke Stack’s kennel manners are exemplary and he always looks in outstanding shape.

So, you wouldn’t think the two-year-old would still be a maiden lining up in his 19th start in the Rockhampton Maiden 1000 Final on Wednesday.

Garry Cluse’s chaser qualified by finishing third in his heat last week, nine-and-a-half lengths behind runway winner Mr. Unflappable for Gary Keep, who recorded his first victory in four starts.

But, despite the length of that margin, the New Moonta-based Cluse said Smoke Stack was doing everything right to break his winning drought and would be much closer at the finish line this week.

“Smoke Stack is perfect in the kennels. He gets up and does what he has to do, goes out and has a run, and goes back into his kennel and lays down until teatime or breakfast time,” Cluse said.

“He’s the perfect kennel dog and his physique is great. He always looks great, that dog.

“As I keep telling the owner (John Fuller), I look at the dog and say ‘why the hell hasn’t this dog won a race for us?’”

Smoke Stack is by Group 1-winner Hooked On Scotch and out of Aston Champagne, who saluted on 13 occasions from 90 starts.

His litter brother Dropping Gears is off to a good start to his chasing career, with seven victories from 26 starts.

Dropping Gears is a dog who Cluse thinks is a little more advanced at this stage of his juvenile development.

“He (Smoke Stack) just hung on (to get third in his heat last week), but he just gets a bit wayward every now and then,” Cluse said.

“He’s a young dog and I believe that’ll come out of him. He’s a litter brother to Dropping Gears and he’s a pretty good dog.”

Dropping Gears will also race at Rockhampton on Wednesday night, set to line up in race four on the program over 510 metres.

“He won last week over the 510 metres and I’ve set him for the Derby next Wednesday when the heats are on,” Cluse said.

“We didn’t think he’d get 510 metres because he was easing over the 407 metres. But, he ran the 510 metres quite easily.”

Cluse conceded it has been difficult to keep faith that Smoke Stack would soon break his maiden status.

“I get a bit frustrated occasionally because you know he’s got it (talent), but he’s not getting it (wins),” he said.

“You’ve just got to be patient with them. If you’re patient long enough with them, as the old saying goes every dog wins a race somewhere along the line.”

Along with Mr. Unflappable, Cluse said Cambla Diva for Louise Cameron from box two would also be tough to beat on Wednesday night.

But, he added he was content with his chaser drawing box three, with Mr. Unflappable to start from the five lane.

“He can (make up ground from last week’s heat). He’s inside this time from box three, and they’ve got to get across in front of him to win,” Cluse said.

“I’m happy with box three.”