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By Ray Hickson

Trainer Matthew Smith is confident the best is still ahead for lightly raced colt Golden Straand and he’d like to think the Traffic Warden @ Darley Handicap (1300m) at Warwick Farm on Wednesday is a nice stepping stone.

Trainer Matthew Smith

The rising four-year-old wasted little time in getting on the board with an easy win at his second start at Gosford and Smith said he gave a glimpse of his potential when he jumped straight into Saturday grade.

That was when he split Diddle Dumpling and Codetta in a Benchmark 72 at Rosehill earlier this month.

“I think he took the next step, that’s for sure,’’ Smith said.

“He did things a lot better than in the start before. He’s getting there, he’s just got to learn his race craft and he’ll be fine.

“The depth of racing in Sydney is so competitive, especially in those 72s and 78s, and a horse needs to have above average ability to jump quickly in those grades.

“They’ve got to be smart in the way they race, they can’t be overdoing it, they’ve got to be travelling and know how to quicken up.

“He’s got the ability, the penny hasn’t quite dropped yet but I think he’ll get there.”

Golden Straand, $2.90 with TAB on Tuesday, stays at 1300m for his fourth race start and Smith is comfortable with his decision to save him from Randwick last weekend.

Jay Ford retains the ride on the colt and, from a barrier five, Smith said the right platform is there for him to win and then step up in distance.

“He should get the right run from there, it’s the perfect barrier for him,’’ he said.

“I’m keen to see him at a mile, I think he’ll be a really nice horse over seven furlongs to a mile.

“We haven’t got there yet, his work has been good between runs and based on his last start and the way he’s coming on he’ll be very competitive.”

Prima Bella has won two of her three starts this time in over the Newcastle 900m and Smith said if rain arrives at Warwick Farm her chances in the Headwater @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1000m) will soar.

The four-year-old was beaten in a Benchmark 64 at Kensington between her wins but she did sit three wide on the speed and Smith is forgiving of that effort.

“She’s a bit quirky but she’s got some ability,’’ he said.

“I can see her running a good race, she’s a real wet tracker and if we got a heavy track it’d be a big advantage for her.”

Matthew Smith on Icebreaker (race 4): “He was disappointing last start but I think there were excuses, he didn’t recover well after the race. But he’s fine and has worked well since, on his work he’ll bounce back so we’ll just have to see.”

Meanwhile, classy sprinter Headwall’s bid for a TAB Everest berth begins when he trials on August 8.

Golden Straand runs second at Rosehill on July 5

Smith is excited about the gelding’s preparation after he announced himself as a contender in the autumn with placings in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap, Group 1 TJ Smith Stakes and The Quokka.

“He’s the right horse, no doubt about that,’’ he said.

“He handles any track conditions, his form is good and he has form around the right horses. He’s got plenty of ticks, how many do we need to have to get into the Everest?”

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday’s Warwick Farm meeting