Smith Confident Ahead Of Sydney Cup Tune-Up

TRIPLE track record holder, exciting stayer Miss Ezmae, comes up against a virtual Group 1 line-up at Wentworth Park on Wednesday night with trainer Jack Smith confident she can win.

The daughter of Barcia Bale and Zagati has raced just 17 times for 10 wins and four placings and since she has stepped up in distance she has been on a record breaking spree.

But she faces Group 1 star Stanley Road, Super Estrella and Queensland staying powerhouse Maggie Moo Moo at Wentworth Park and all three are in great form.

Multiple Group winner Stanley Road has had three starts since returning to the track after injury for a second and then two stylish wins over 618m at Richmond.

Super Estrella, which has always indicated she was a staying star in the making, has won three of her past four but Miss Ezmae beat her a length at Richmond over 717m three starts back in track record time.

Maggie Moo Moo comes into the race off two wins from her past three starts at Albion Park both of them inside the 42-second mark.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK WEDNESDAY NIGHT

Miss Ezmae has come up with box seven.

“She's been leading from inside draws lately but I believe she has got enough speed to get across a field of stayers by the first turn,” Smith said.

“She only needs to find a position up close early to be hard to beat. If she could get a sit on Super Estrella, I think she can run her down.

“But of course Stanley Road will be stalking us all.”

Smith said Wednesday night's run would get Miss Ezmae even fitter for the heats of the Sydney Cup which will be run the following Wednesday. The rich $75,000-to-the-winner final will then be 10 days after that.

“I would think Miss Ezmae would be much fitter for the final,” Smith said.

Smith trained former smart stayer Little Digger which was second in a Group 1 Association Cup.

“Miss Ezmae would lap him,” said Smith of the closely related pairing.

“I've never had a dog like her to run three track records.”