Smerdon picked to train WA star Luckygray

By Mike Hedge

MELBOURNE, April 23 AAP - The experience and skills of Robert Smerdon have been called on to expand the CV of high-class West Australian galloper Luckygray.

A winner of two Group One races among his seven stakes victories in the West, Luckygray has failed to reproduce the form in two trips to Melbourne, the latest when he was restricted to a sprint campaign.

Luckygray had previously turned in a couple of moderate efforts in Melbourne last spring.

Smerdon said the five-year-old's owners wanted the horse to be trained permanently in the eastern states and had chosen the Aquanita operation after stabling at Caulfield during each of his Melbourne campaign.

"They have the view that there are more options for him over here," Smerdon said.

"He's won some of the best races in Perth and there's no reason why he can't be competitive in Melbourne."

The intention is to aim Luckygray at a range of middle-distance races this spring.

"There's plenty of options for him, some nice weight-for-age races.

"We'll have a good look at him when he gets here and work it out."

Luckygray's former trainer Gino Poletti guided Luckygray to outstanding success in WA where he won the Kingston Town Stakes (1800m) and Railway Stakes (1600m), both at Group One.

He established himself as one off the West's best performers during the 2011-2012 season when he won eight out of nine starts.

Luckygray is spelling in WA and is likely to join the Smerdon team before then end of the current season.