News

A $50,000 carrot is dangling in front of the connections of Timaru gelding Smooth Operator following his victory in the Olphert Contracting Ltd Invercargill Gold Cup (2600m) at Ascot Park on Saturday.

Stakes performer Smooth Operator hasn’t had the best of luck over the last month, but trainer Stephanie Faulkner believes he is back on track to defend his title in Saturday’s Howley Joinery Southland Crystals (2200m) at Ascot Park.

“It would be very tough in the Livamol, but everyone is keen to give it a crack, he has a few owners that are keen to head up there.” 

Timaru trainer Stephanie Faulkner will head north to Riccarton on Saturday where she will line-up a quartet of runners on the nine-race card.