Lindsey Smith says stable newcomer In A Twinkling is about to strike winning form but is worried the Pakenham Cup (2500m) may be one run too early.

Formerly trained in New Zealand by Jamie Richards, In A Twinkling has had two starts for Smith who prepares his eastern states team at Warrnambool while he also has a set-up in Western Australia.

In A Twinkling ran a first-up seventh on a heavy track at Cranbourne on November 13 before backing up the following week when eighth in the Ballarat Cup (2000m), both times with Craig Newitt in the saddle.

Smith said those runs should have In A Twinkling approaching peak fitness for Saturday’s Listed race.

“But I reckon the next one, he will be even better,” Smith told RSN.

“The 2500 metres is a good race for him but on December 18 there’s a 2600-metre Benchmark 100.

“Let’s hope he wins the Pakenham Cup and gets out weighted in the Flemington race.”

Now a six-year-old, In A Twinkling showed plenty of promise as a younger horse.

He was beaten by The Chosen One in the Zacinto Stakes at Riccarton as a three-year-old before later in the season going on to finish second in the New Zealand Derby (2400m) and then fifth in the Australian Derby (2400m) at Randwick.

Before arriving at Smith’s Warrnambool stable, In A Twinkling was again tried over a staying trip, finishing fourth in the City Of Auckland Cup (2400m) before his one and only try at 3200m, finishing near the tail in the Auckland Cup in March.

“There’s a couple of good races coming up for him,” Smith said.

“There’s some races in Tasmania, there’s maybe the Adelaide Cup, but I think he’s a couple of rungs under the good ones here although his two runs for me have been pretty good.

“The 2500 metres on Saturday, a good gate, he’ll roll close to the lead and if no-one wants to lead, he might even lead.

“The jockey has been quite happy with him and it’s always good to have the jockey smiling.”