The past two years have not been easy for Glenn Smith, with the greyhound trainer undergoing treatment for bowel cancer. During this period, Smith’s greyhounds have been a great tonic in ensuring the trainer stays active.
And there is one greyhound in particular who spurs Smith on and that is Simpatico, who lines up in a heat of the Group 2 Lismore Workers Club Cup (520m) tonight.
Simpatico, who has scored 13 wins and three minor placings from 19 starts, jumps from box eight in the first of four heats of the two week cup series, and Smith believes she is a good chance to qualify for next week’s final.
“There’s a couple of smart greyhounds from Sydney in this race and you don’t know how they are shaping up, (but) I think she can win,” Smith said.
“I gave her a slip over the 450 metres at Ipswich on Monday and she looked good. She’s fine for the 450 metres – it’s just the last 70 metres that could be a problem.
“That said Lismore is a real speed track and it should be ideal for her.
“She cannot make any mistakes at box rise but if she gets out okay, she can lead them home.”
Simpatico has been a star for Smith since debuting in March, with her record including an impressive 29.79 victory over the 520m at Albion Park in July.
Simpatico won her last start on September 24 at Albion Park in 29.99 but injured a pin muscle trialling at Lismore shortly afterwards.
Given his health problems, Smith said Simpatico has come to him at a good time.
“She’s really been a tonic,” he said.
“A few people around me ask why I keep training, but I think you have to keep yourself active or it’s the end.”
Simpatico is arguably lining up in the heat of the night, with the race also featuring in-form locals Laverne (box one) and Mincin’ Machine (box six) as well as Let It Develop (box two) from the hot western Sydney kennel of Antony Azzopardi.
In other action, La Grand Logie (box two) looks a strong contender in the second heat.
He has reached two Group finals recently, is racing consistently and is always dangerous from inside draws.
Recent double Group winner Uno Suzie (box two), one of the stars of Azzopardi’s kennel, looks the best hope in heat three.
While she has never raced at Lismore before and has not won in six previous starts from box two, her form in 2015 cannot be faulted, having taken out the Group 2 Black Top and the Group 3 Canberra Cup.
The fourth and final heat will feature this year’s National Futurity winner Zipping Midge (box two, pictured with white rug) who looks to be approaching top form again, having run an excellent 29.83 on her last start at Wentworth Park.
Last year's winner Yogi Blue, who has won once and placed twice in his last five starts, will jump from box six in the third heat.
The first of the four heats starts at 8.21pm (NSW time), with the Lismore Cup final taking place next Friday. The top two finishers from each heat will qualify for the final
For Ladbrokes Park Lismore Friday fields, form and expert picks, click here.
