Smith Switches Hats In Pursuit Of Xmas Gift

ELDERSLIE conditioner David Smith heads to Wentworth Park as an owner and a trainer this Saturday night.

Smith owns the talented Lightnin' Ethics which is under the care of Peter Rodgers.

FIELDS AND FORM WENTWORTH PARK SATURDAY NIGHT

The daughter of Kinloch Brae steps up to tackle free-for-all grade for the first time when she contests a heat of the Ladbrokes Christmas Gift (520m) at Wentworth Park.

"It's easier as an owner than a trainer," Smith said. "You can watch them and then go to bed.

"In saying that, now that I'm training full time, I don't know that I'll be handing the fast break ins out anymore."

⚡ Like a flash!

Lightnin' Ethics bounced back to the winner's circle last night at Gosford, winning by 13 lengths in a #BON time of 21.92.

Full Results: https://t.co/t3s0glRgBl#thedogs #greyhoundracing pic.twitter.com/SRiNjy9o2S

— The Dogs (@Thedogs_com_au) November 8, 2022

Lightnin' Ethics announced herself as a serious prospect back in July when finishing second in the Group 1 Peter Mosman Opal.

She recently returned from a break and has taken it to a whole new level – recording a 29.67 second personal best at Wentworth Park two starts back on November 23.

"Pete's got her going really well at the moment and we think the best days are still ahead of her," Smith said.

"She's already proven herself to be very sharp in the first couple of sections and there's still room to improve in the run home.

"Saturday night is obviously a whole new class but if she can get the start right and break 5.40 to the mark, there's a good chance she can lead and from there you're always a chance."

After the Christmas Gift series Rodgers and Smith are targeting Lightnin' Ethics at the Group 2 Bogie Leigh Futurity (520m) at Albion Park on December 29.

Putting his training hat on, Smith has four guaranteed runners – Oreo Ethics, Got The Feature, Tarawi Rocky and Tarawi Ferrari while Swift And Sassy is a reserve in each of the four heats for fifth grade bitches.

"I'm not declaring any of them but I'm going to the race with a few dogs that are not with a chance," Smith said.

"Ferrari is a box eight bandit, but his race is very hard.

"Oreo is going terrific at the moment and Rocky won on Tuesday so with a I wouldn't be shocked if he ran well again.

"They're probably my best chances."