Following a red-hot winning spree in Melbourne, In The Boat gets a deserved opportunity in G1 company in Saturday’s Goodwood (1200m) at Morphettville.
The former Perth galloper goes into Adelaide’s premier sprint event as a leading contender, a likelihood that has genuinely surprised trainer, Lindsey Smith.
“He has worse legs than I have and I thought he would be gone,” Smith told Tabradio.
“Early doors I thought he would be sold to Hong Kong.
“It’s very exciting to be part of a horse like him, especially where he came from, starting off in Perth.”
Since joining Smith’s Warrnambool’s stables last year, In The Boat has won six races and occupied three minor placings from nine starts.
A four-year-old son of Nostradamus, In The Boat is chasing a hatrick in the Goodwood after taking out his maiden Listed event at Moonee Valley in the Listed Abell Stakes (1200m).
He then followed up a month later and validated a crack at the Goodwood after running his rivals ragged out in front in the $500,000 Country Discovery (1100m) at Sale.
Smith says he admires In The Boat’s racing pattern and the way he goes about his work.
“Some horses like coming from last, but I’m a gates open and let’s go,” Smith said.
“I enjoy watching him and I admire horses that do what he does.
“Every time he goes out he puts in a better performance than the last.
“It’s very exciting to be part of a horse like this, especially where he came from.”
In The Boat launched his racing career in Bunbury, winning a maiden on debut by 2 ½ lengths in 2020.
He made the trek east to join Smith following a third placing behind classy mare Kissonallforcheeks at Ascot.
Smith says In The Boat is almost certain to return to familiar territory later this year in the G1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) at Ascot.
“That’s my goal, the Winterbottom,” Smith said.
“That’s been my goal once I knew he was up to that level.
“He’ll race on Saturday and then will have a spell.
“His aim is to get to Western Australia.”
Smith was hoping In The Boat could draw inside barrier 10 in the Goodwood, but was dealt a blow after he came up with gate 20.
Jockey Blaike McDougall keeps the mount after booting him home in his previous two wins.
Tabtouch currently has In The Boat at $6.50, sharing market lead with Extreme Warrior.
Meanwhile, after a disappointing first-up run, God Has Chosen has struck back with consecutive wins.
He defeated Watch Me Dance by 1 ¾ lengths on Saturday, his first go at the mile.
Smith said the Playing God four-year-old is Belmont Sprint (1400m) bound next start.
“He started to worry me because I thought he could go to the next level after his first prep,” Smith said.
“He looks like he wants 1800m, but he’s in the situation where there are not a lot of races around.
“He has to duck back to the Belmont Sprint and then go to the Hyperion (1600m) and the Strickland (2000m).
“It is what it is, but it was good to see the old horse back.”
