Smith confident with ‘really nice rides’

Evergreen jockey Glenn Smith is bullish about his strong book of rides, which includes last-start winner Shilling, at Albany’s Percy Spencer Racecourse on Saturday.

With Albany’s Saturday meeting clashing with the regular Saturday card at Ascot, several riders, including Brad Parnham and Jason Whiting, have chosen to ride at the metropolitan fixture instead of the Great Southern.

Smith, who is fresh off winning the Group 3 WA Oaks (2400m) at Ascot aboard First Impressions last Saturday, believes he is aboard a number of winning hopes in Albany on Saturday and is eager to add to the 13 wins he has recorded so far in 2016.

“I elected to go down to Albany early and I have picked up some really nice rides,” he said.

“Shilling went really well the other day and all my others ones have got good form.

“Hopefully I can pick up a few winners.”

The Garry Delane-trained Shilling was a last start winner in Albany over 1500m and Smith will again partner the consistent type in the Tabtouch Handicap (1600m), which has drawn barrier 12 and will carry 58.5kg in the race.

The experienced hoop will also team up with Delane runners Big Clipper, Garcia and Never Can Tell, all of which appear strong each-way hopes in their respective races.

In the Avis Albany Maiden (1230m), Smith retains the mount on the Mark Nelson-trained Volksoan, which ran second to In The Loop last start.

“Gupta’s one was a bit unlucky the other day and ran into a good one,” Smith said.

“I think she will strip fitter from that run.”

He will also ride Justin Warwick’s maiden gallopers Special Gal and Champagne Charger will adding to that the plum ride aboard in-form sprinter Long Knife and developing type Multimagic.

Parnham currently leads the jockeys’ premiership with 13 wins from Shaun McGruddy (12 wins), who is suspended until April 16.

Local hoop Mitchell Pateman sits third on 11 victories and has a number of strong winning chances on the nine-race Albany card while Ikenushi (8) and Whiting (7) round out the top five.