Trainer Matt Smith is adopting a patient strategy with Millie De Lune, hoping the capable mare can put a troublesome injury setback behind her when she re-enters the racing scene at Rosehill this Saturday.
The daughter of Puissance De Lune makes her return in the Congratulations Chris Waller Handicap over 1400 metres, marking her first appearance since sustaining a tendon injury that halted what had appeared to be a promising career over longer distances.
Millie De Lune demonstrated her potential with a middle-distance win at Randwick in June 2025 and subsequently earned a start in the Winx Guineas, where she finished in the midfield.
While Smith is not anticipating a victory on her return, he is confident the mare possesses the talent to make an impact once she contests longer races later in her campaign.
“It’s just a starting point,” Smith stated. “She had a tendon injury. It was very minor, but it took ages to heal. Everything has been good so far, so touch wood.
“She is a really nice mare and when she gets up over a trip to 2000, 2400 (metres), she will be good.”
Jay Ford has been confirmed to ride Millie De Lune, who is one of potentially five runners from the stable at Rosehill.
Smith will also have Anythink Goes competing in the Congratulations Siena Grima Handicap (2000m), and Astero and World Alliance taking part in the NSW Jockeys Association Handicap over 1300 metres.
Winston Hills is currently listed as an emergency and will need one more scratching to secure a start.
Smith’s optimism for Astero has been somewhat dampened by a difficult barrier draw and the possibility of a drying track, despite being pleased with the veteran galloper’s recent conditioning.
He harbours greater optimism for World Alliance, a gelding who has encountered considerable misfortune this preparation but is capable of delivering a strong closing effort if race conditions are favourable.
The gelding experienced bad luck in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton and had previously delivered two promising performances in Sydney, including a third-place finish behind Istolea Merc at Canterbury.
“He’s one of those horses that’s always going to be a bit unlucky because he gets back and runs on,” Smith explained. “He has been unlucky a couple of runs this prep. He probably should have won at Canterbury.
But if the speed is there, he can be finishing over the top of them.”
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