Le Vizir Delivers Gareth Winning Return

Miner and trainer Gareth Smith celebrated a return to the Cluden winner’s stall yesterday with just his fifth runner after an eight year break.

Smith, originally from Cloncurry, claimed victory with former Sydneysider Le Vizir in the Bush To Beach Real Estate Open Hcp (1400m) and now has his sights set on Townsville’s upcoming carnival.

Le Vizir, formerly trained by Peter and Paul Snowden, hit bookmakers too as he rushed home for jockey Marnu Potgieter to beat Bold Kingston and Fast Train as a heavily-backed favourite.

For Smith the win came just a month after returning to the training ranks.

“I originally trained out west, moved in here in 2014 and trained for a year or so. I gave it away and went back mining, and finally decided to get back into it. Hopefully it goes well,” Smith said.

“I’ve had horses with the Odeas and previously with Billy Kenning. Dad (David) and I owned Lighthorse Lad and Star Banner. We’ve had a couple of good ones, but it’s good to be back training again ourselves.

“He’s (Le Vizir) only had the two runs for us, a fourth in Mackay when he was first up a couple of weeks back and today.

“The Jorgensens bought him and I was lucky enough he landed with us. I think he was bought mainly looking for a Cleveland Bay winner,  but he might be a horse that wants further.

“He’s got form either way it goes. Certainly it’s early days and he’s a nice horse.

“His rating’s high, and he’s a bit hard to place. Today he was a class four horse in an open race but down in the weights, ridden nicely by Marnu he got the job done.”

“I still work but I’m lucky enough I work week on week off and have good staff to look after them when I’m away and hopefully we can get a few more results.

“It will be good to have a runner or two over carnival, and I think this guy will measure up. He had really good form in Sydney.”

Smith has just six in work and went close to a dream result on the day when Laide finished a close second in the Trackside Photography Mdn Hcp (1400m).

Meanwhile, bargain buy Don’t Tell Leeanne, ridden by Graham Kliese, landed her fifth Cluden when she ran down Redavni and Vee Eight Power in the Ladbrokes Mates Mode 3YO Hcp (1200m).

Winning trainer Stephen Bush and his wife Michelle paid just $4500 for the Epaulette filly in an on-line auction from the Annabelle Neasham stable.

“I bought her half tanked up one night as a bit of laugh. I bought her because Leeanne McCoy used to work for me but saw enough in her trials to think she had ability,” Bush said.’

“I watched a couple of videos and we put on a set of blinkers and started working her on her own instead of in pairs and she really came on.

“We just changed her work around. I’ve got Graham riding her track work. Before that Denny Smith was riding her and Grubby Day was on her on weekends.

“It’s been a good team effort.”

Bush is planning to push on with Don’t Tell Leeanne with longer distances in store during the carnival after her tough win yesterday under the steadier of 59kg.

And the Bushes are also preparing to expand with horses from outside clients after being granted an open trainer’s licence.

For classy mare Ruby July it was a case of what older brother Yes Dream can do I can do just as well for Atherton trainer Michael Lee.

Ruby July made it six wins from as many starts at Cluden in the Lone Wolf Security Open Hcp (1000m) after a superb Lacey Morrison ride.

Just last month Yes Dream made it seven from seven in Townsville for Lee in a remarkable run for the progeny of his grand producing mare Platinum Ruby.

Pictured: Le Vizir with trainer Gareth Smith after claiming victory in the Bush To Beach Real Estate Open Hcp (1400m).

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.