3 minute read

Stakes placegetter Smirk will stretch to 2400-metres for the first time at Randwick.

Chris Waller is banking on a distance rise and seven-day back-up to help Smirk rediscover her best form when she heads to Randwick for the Christmas Eve meeting. 

The daughter of Preferment showed staying promise during her three-year-old season, finishing third in The Roses (2100m) and fourth to Gypsy Goddess in the Group 1 Queensland Oaks (2200m). 

However, it has been a slow burn this preparation with her best performance a minor placing behind Zoumon over 2000m at Rosehill earlier this month. 

She will extend to 2400m for the first time in Saturday's Precise Air Handicap after failing to beat a rival home over 2000m last week when Waller had expected a competitive showing. 

"She just got a bit wide but even still, she was disappointing," Waller said on his weekly preview. 

"Let's hope she can improve up to 2400 (metres). 

"She ran fourth in the Oaks up in Queensland over a similar distance and she has pulled up fine." 

Visiting Irish jockey Ben Coen partners Smirk while James Mcdonald will ride stablemate Agnelli in the same race. 

The pair will be among up to 11 Randwick runners for the champion trainer but while Waller will be represented in seven of the eight races his team is eligible for, he is set to saddle up only one outright favourite. 

Democracy Manifest is a clear-cut $2.30 top pick to make it back-to-back wins in the Schweppes Handicap (1600m) and Waller believes punters have got it right. 

While the horse is untested beyond 1400m, Sydney's leading trainer doesn't expect the extra distance to be an issue. 

"I don't think it will be a problem…. especially fit and deep into the prep," Waller said. 

"He was impressive last start, he gets a nice run from the draw (barrier three) and he has worked very well. 

"I think he will be very hard to beat."