Business as usual for Super Estrella ahead of Sydney Cup final
The key to David Smith’s success with Super Estrella – ahead of Saturday night’s Sydney Cup Final at Wentworth Park – has been patience.
Which means he won’t be reinventing the wheel with his star three-year-old ahead of the Group 2 feature worth $130,000 over 720m.
And why should he? The National Distance Championship title holder is flying.
She has won her past five consecutive starts – all under 42 seconds at the historic Glebe venue.
The bitch has been super impressive in her past two runs, crossing the line in 41.42 (Sydney Cup Heat 3) and 41.21 seconds.
Her respective first splits were also terrific, producing times of 15.91 and 15.82 seconds.
There was no panic whatsoever from Smith over Super Estrella’s slightly slower first split last Friday night, before blitzing the field to salute by a whopping 12 ½ lengths.
“We know she’s getting stronger. She ran 15.82 last week – you can’t do that every week,” the Camden-based trainer said.
“That’s still a sensational first section, so I’m rapt.”
So, was Smith more relieved than rapt at her heat time?
“A bit of both. I’m always happy with a winner. I was rapt at the way she went – 41.42 seconds,” he said.
“I’m relieved as well because people are watching and it’s great. She’s never let us down.
“It was terrific again.”
It is this level-headed approach which should have Super Estrella primed to live up to her $1.45 favourite tag with Ladbrokes on Saturday night.
“Just got to learn to handle it (the pressure), I suppose, don’t we?” Smith said after last week’s heat triumph.
“I work them (my dogs) at home, so I’ll just wrap her up in cotton wool and bring her here.
“Hopefully she’ll produce the same run and you put yourself right in it.”