Smith Confident Amy Can Prove Cup ‘Surprise Packet'

A forward first up Sydney showing has trainer David Smith confident Canya Amy can prove to be the surprise packet in the Group 1 Farrell's Association Cup (720m) which gets underway at Wentworth Park on Saturday night.

The group 1 winning trainer heads into the heats with a two-pronged attack with Sublime Ethics drawn to contest the second qualifier while recent kennel acquisition Canya Amy will take her place in heat three.

But as you would expect neither have been handed an easy passage through to Saturday week's $75,000-to-the-winner decider, drawn to clash with series heavyweights Valpolicella and Palawa King in their respective heats.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

"Matt Lanigan asked me if I'd give Canya Amy a go for this series and I didn't really know a lot about her to be honest," Smith said of the daughter of Sennachie which has won six of her 17 starts.

"I had a look at her record and it's probably a little modest for this level but she trialled 42.25 and was probably a bit unlucky to finish second on Saturday night.

"She ran 42.10 in that and I think she'll improve off that again and if she does we can hopefully sneak into the final and give ourselves a chance. She's surprised me a bit to be honest.

"The odds are against us beating Palawa King – he's a superstar – but if we are going to we are probably a better chance in a final where he might find a bit more bother.

"I'd rather her drawn near the fence but from the eight she can get herself into the race. The aim is just to qualify (for the final)."

While Smith, who guided the great Super Estrella to 33 wins and $451,580 in prize money during her illustrious career, is confident of a forward display with Canya Amy, he admits he's far more reserved about the chances of Sublime Ethics.

"I just don't know if she'll run it (the distance)," Smith said.

"She had a solo-trial on Saturday night and went 42.74 but the clock malfunctioned in one of the sections so I can't be sure what she ran.

"On her own at Wenty she'll run 29.60 and she came through the run the other night well so I'll learn a bit more on Saturday night.

"With her I'm more thinking about getting her to The Gardens for The 715. 

"If she's going to sneak away with a good 700 race it's probably going to be at a tighter track like The Gardens over a little less distance."

Sublime Ethics is quoted a $12 chance from box four behind Queensland sensation Valpolicella ($1.80) in her heat.

In the final qualifier, Canya Amy has come in for strong support from her box eight draw, backed into $6 behind series favourite Palawa King which holds the call at a $1.65.