Lindsey Smith is thinking ahead with his talented galloper Tuvalu.
The Group 1 Champions Mile (1600m) at Flemington on November 5 and it’s $1.8 million first prize money is firmly in the back of Smith’s mind.
For that reason, the Warrnambool-based horseman is playing a waiting game to see whether Tuvalu runs in the Group 2 Crystal Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Smith took advantage of a grass gallop at Casterton on Tuesday which he said had tightened the last start Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) winner a little more than anticipated.
“He’s in good order but he had a gallop Tuesday which tightened him up a little more than I thought it would, so I’ll see how he goes over the next day or so,” Smith said.
“It’s about the next one (Champions Mile), so whether he needs to go on Saturday, I’m not sure. I would like to, but we’ll just see how he is.
“I thought if I gave him a good gallop on Tuesday on a good track it would be beneficial because if it rains on Saturday and he doesn’t go, at least he’s had that, otherwise I’d be a bit behind the eight-ball.
“He galloped good, pulled-up good, but he was just a little tight afterwards.
“A couple of days down the beach, may just help him.”
Smith said Tuvalu was enjoying the current spell of warm weather and spending time in the sun.
Tuvalu suffers from a condition known as ‘biliruben’ which affects the liver and in humans can cause jaundice.
Smith discovered Tuvalu was suffering the problem by chance and one of the best remedies is spending time in the sun, or during winter, under lights.
“He’s out in the paddock sunbaking at the moment,” Smith said.
“With his biliruben, he loves it, and the sun seems to lower it.
“His form at The Valley is good, so if we decide to go there, he’s going there to win.”