Lindsey Smith delved deep into his bag of tricks to bring out the best in Horrifying at Flemington.
The former Mark and Levi Kavanagh-trained galloper was having his second start for the Warrnambool-based Smith in the VRC Member Peter Drake Plate (2000m) on Saturday.
At his first outing for his new trainer, Horrifying finished last on his home track during the Warrnambool May Carnival but turned his form right around on Saturday.
Providing Michael Dee with the fourth leg of a winning quartet, Horrifying ($51) scored by a length from Smokin’ Romans ($11) with Wineglass Bay ($21) a short-neck away third.
“He came to me to be at the beach,” Smith said.
“He was in good order before he went to Warrnambool and I thought the horse would win, but he ran last.
“I didn’t think he would be in my care for much longer, but these owners, they’re new to my stable, and they’re very, very patient and they love the horse.
“They asked me to keep persevering.”
Smith said he and his staff had tried many different tactics in their bid to get Horrifying back to winning form.
“I’ve tried all different things with the staff, and I ran out of tricks and then the last couple of weeks, I reverted to doing basically nothing.
“I tried working him hard, putting him on the treadmill, taking him to the beach and I even just left him in a box.
“He’s been a good horse on his day and the track conditions suited him today and I think it’s one of the stable’s best training performances.”
Two years ago, at the corresponding meeting, Horrifying took out the Flemington Cup.
Smith said Horrifying had several leg problems in his time but was in good order to return to Flemington for his bid on Saturday.
“His joints were nice and tight, no juice in them,” Smith said.
“We vetted him 12 days ago looking for a reason why we shouldn’t come here, but the vet couldn’t find anything.
“This is a savour moment as I didn’t know what to do after the Warrnambool run, so we’ll savour this and go again another day.”
