If this year’s Kosciuszko field was picked now trainer Todd Smart is confident in-form galloper Off The Press would be a natural selection.
But he’d like to use the gelding’s next two starts to consolidate his place as a city class, country trained, horse before setting him for the $2 million feature on Everest Day.
It’ll be the opposite approach to how Smart gained his first Kosciuszko runner last spring with So Magnificent who won a Highway six weeks out and was picked up late.
Unfortunately So Magnificent bled for the second time when running below his best in the 2025 edition, he was purchased by New Zealand connections and has been sent to the USA to continue his career.
“I do see this horse as a Kosciuszko horse. He’s on the way up, he’s only had 15 starts for six wins and there’s a lot more to come,’’ Smart said.
“We’re going through the grades with him and he’s lifting every time.
“The Kosciuszko was such a thrill for me, and the owner and the slot holder. I think this horse is a better horse.
“Knowing what I know now and what I need to do to have a horse ready, this horse won’t race through the winter.
“He’s not the best on a heavy track, he’ll handle soft, so he’ll have a break over the winter and get him up for the Kosciuszko.”
Off The Press is in his first preparation with Smart, having been transferred from Cody Morgan, and he’s won three of his five starts including a Kensington win in early December.
He bumped into a progressive type when runner-up to Cross Tasman at Randwick on Boxing Day and Smart said the Exceedance Yearlings Handicap (1400m), where he was $4 with TAB on Tuesday, is a good test for him.
“I’ve got quite a few horses for Group One Thoroughbreds after Cody retired and he was one of them,’’ he said.
“He’s won in town and run second in town so he’s done very well.
“He’s drawn ordinary but he’s overcome that before. We beat the rest of the field by two last time so it was unfortunate but you wouldn’t have too many country horses going as well as him.
“We space his runs by three weeks, he doesn’t need a lot of work and he’s just an honest horse.
“I’d love to see how this horse will come back after two more runs. Have a spell and come back, re-energize him and set him for a race.”
Source: Ray Hickson, for Racing NSW