Lindsey Smith sets sights on Group 1 The Goodwood

With a just over a week before the end of April, the Warrnambool-based trainer has bagged 11 victories across Victoria and Western Australia.

Headlining his cast of winners has been In The Boat, a genuine surprise packet since transferring from Perth.

Since making the move last year, the four-year-old has yet to miss a top three finish with six wins from nine starts.

He is on his way to Adelaide for next month’s G1 Goodwood (1200m) in Adelaide after winning the $500,000 The Country Discovery (1100m) at Sale on Good Friday.

If he runs to expectations and maintains his high standard a trip back to Perth for November’s G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) looms highly.

As good as Smith’s strike rate has been this month, a rare lowlight for the stable was the first-up performance of God Has Chosen on April 9.

Franking two fair trials beforehand, the talented son of Playing God just plugged away when fourth to Staralign (1400m), his first run in four months.

He ran below expectations after last year’s stellar first campaign for Smith when he claimed three wins and two placings from five appearances.

Smith hopes God Has Chosen can regroup and bounce back in the Belhus Racing Stables Handicap (1400m) at Ascot on Saturday.

“I must admit his two trials were not up to his standard,” Smith told Tabradio.

“I know the race the other day didn’t change much the other day, it was a stop-start affair.

“I was a tad disappointed again and expected him to come back and win.

“I’ve been disappointed, but hopefully he bounces back on Saturday.

“All his work has been pretty good; all the indicators have been to when we first got him and his first prep.

“Normally there second preps are better.”

God Has Chosen won his opening two races in Albany for trainer, Neil Lee, before teaming up with Smith.

His previous defeat was the only occasion he has missed a finish in the first three from nine races to date.

He will be ridden again by Clint Johnston-Porter and in a small field of six runners he has drawn barrier one

He eased to $2.20 from his opening price of $2.05, but has firmed back into $2.15.

Ex Sport Man is $3.20 and Staralign $3.60.

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