Winning return boosts Smith's confidence

By Jordan Gerrans

Townsville hoop Denicious Smith says a first-up victory after a long injury lay-off will be a big confidence booster ahead of a busy weekend of rides across North Queensland.

Smith returned to the races at Innisfail on Saturday for the first time since the middle of February and scored aboard Don't Tell Lucy for Cluden Park conditioner Liliana McCormack.

The 46-year-old was sidelined for much of 2026 following a serious ankle injury.

“Especially it being a TAB day, you get a lot of exposure and people watching,” the smiling jockey said.

“It just gives you that boost and confidence in yourself, to say that you can still do it. After being off for about nine months, it's a long time.

“You start doubting your fitness and you ask yourself a lot of questions.

“So, having that monkey off the back at the first attempt was a very good thing.”

Despite winning a trial at Cluden Park in early October, Don't Tell Lucy was unwanted in the market in the QTIS Maiden Plate over 900 metres to open proceedings at Innisfail's Pease Park on Saturday.

The form from the trial was on display, with Vincentvangee, who finished second to Don't Tell Lucy, going on to run well at Cairns in the following days.

From barrier seven on Saturday, Smith shot Don't Tell Lucy to the front in the early exchanges and the four-year-old mare was not headed again.

“I was quietly confident after the trial, knowing that it was a really good trial,” the jockey said.

“I was quietly confident, but also doubting my fitness. My first ride back, things like that.

“I took that into consideration, but otherwise, it worked out well. I knew she had a lot of speed and the only way we're going to beat them is to make use of her natural speed.

“She's only had two runs before that and, watching the replay, she was doing everything wrong.

“She's still learning. Then when I came back and Liliana put me on her, we tried to get her relaxed and settled and just give her confidence and it looks like it worked out.

“She just needed a bit of attention and just soft hands on her, just to teach her to do things right.

“Obviously, in the race, coming towards the end of the race, she saw the winning post and she sort of shied away. It's always a positive you can take out of it that she's still got a lot to learn.

“So, it means that she'll improve a bit more. It's a positive thing.”

The voice of racing at Innisfail, Bluey Forsyth, made special mention of Smith's comeback winner following the event.

“I tell you, he came back in fine style,” Forsyth said of Smith.

“That's not a bad way to return to the winning circle and to the saddle.

“Don't Tell Lucy, this was a very impressive little run. I tell you what, she showed a bit of dash and then she showed some fight at the end of it.

“She did it at both ends, the little four-year-old grey mare. She only had a couple of starts and she ran a really ripper of a race.

“Denicious is one of the loved characters on the circuit and no one denied him that win. Liliana McCormack, her stable, she hasn't got many, but they're going very well at the moment.

“But, keep an eye on Don't Tell Lucy, she'll win more races, that little grey mare.”

Don't Tell Lucy was previously prepared by Les Kelly and Jay Bellamy in South East Queensland before being transferred north, where she had her first run for the McCormack team on Saturday.

The well-travelled Smith has made Townsville his home in recent years after previously riding in Victoria and Tasmania.

Originally from South Africa, the hoop has ridden in eight different countries before he shifted to Australia.

As well as riding trackwork and in races, Smith helps the Cluden Park club with track maintenance during the week.

Keen to build momentum in his return, Smith heads to Richmond on Saturday for a book of engagements for local leading horsewoman Shryn Royes before taking three bookings at Cluden Park on Sunday.

He will again link up with the McCormack barn with two rides for the trainer.

“She has always, from the day I arrived here, she's supported me when I moved up to Townsville,” Smith said of McCormack.

“We've had our times away, but, when we do decide to come back, we've always had good results. She's a very supportive lady and understanding. It's nice.

“She hasn't got a big team of horses and things like that, but she tries with the bit that she's got.

“When you get on one of her horses, you try the best for her. Not that you don't try for anybody else, but it just gives you more satisfaction to win for the smaller stables.

“I'm always happy to bring them home a winner, because they're such nice people.”

Smith said his recovery from the ankle injury had been a long road, but he was glad to be back doing what he loves.