Reykjavik eyes Victorian trip after sprint demolition

An interstate trip is on the cards for Reykjavik following his brilliant return to racing in Sunday’s $100,000 Mungrup Stud Sprint (1300m) at Mt Barker Turf Club.

Trainer Lindsey Smith snared his first success in the rich Great Southern sprint feature after Reykjavik rattled home down the outside from fifth on the corner to score a commanding win.

The classy four-year-old was spelled after winning the listed Hannans Handicap back in October and produced a sizzling first-up performance against a field that included three former Mungrup Stud Sprint winners.

Smith said he was targeting Group 3 Roma Cup (1200m) in May with Reykjavik, but was now considering a Melbourne stint with his rising galloper.

“We were heading to the weight-for-age Roma Cup but heading over to Victoria may be an option,” Smith said.

“The Wangoom Handicap is a chance for him if I can find someone to share the costs of a flight over.

“That way he won’t bump into the likes of Galaxy Star and those high-class weight-for-age horses, which I’m not sure he’s up to just yet.

“The Wangoom would be a good race for him and he likes wet tracks, so I’ll chat to the owner and see what happens.”

The listed $175,000 Wangoom Handicap (1200m) will be contested on May 1 in Warrnambool.

One of six horses in the field with 54kg, Reykjavik ($2.90 chance) settled in the back half for jockey Daniel Staeck before he was put into the race at the 600m mark and sustained a wide run to win comfortably by two lengths.

Smith said things fell into place perfectly when the Mungrup Stud Sprint was pushed back in January because of extreme heat.

“It’s a great race to win and it’s very fortunate for me that the race was pushed back,” he said.

“He’s come a long way since joining our stable, his attitude to work has improved, and being a four-year-old, there is still a bit to look forward to.”

It was a second Mungrup Stud Sprint victory for Staeck, having previously claimed the race back in 2007 on My Leo and he was full of praise for Reykjavik. “I think he is a horse on the way up,” Staeck said.

“I rode him confident and it never felt like he was under pressure.

“I wouldn’t be surprised if he goes to the top level.”

Albany galloper Candlelight Star settled last in running and flashed home to grab second for trainer Des Attwell, while Just Act Natural boxed on strongly to finish third.