"He looked like a fat wee seal out in the padock, so we rolled him back in the water after five weeks and started swimming him. He's been back in work now for ten weeks and with the benefit of two trials and a workout, has tightened up considerably", said Dalgety.

Smiling Shard looked every bit the class act that saw him win eight races and close to $600,000 in stakes as a two year old, when he beat a quality lineup at the Ashburton Trials yesterday(Tuesday) in the hands of Shane Walkinshaw.

The overall time was a casual 3.05.7, with the leaders peeling off a sharp last 800 in 55.4 and closing 400 in 26.2. Anvil Best Ever got within a neck of Smiling Shard, but looks no match for the Dalgety trained colt in upcoming 3yr old races, given the winner's lack of raceday fitness.

"The plan was always to campaign him in Auckland through December,but i was a bit hesitant due to his oversized condition. And you always have reservations about how they will come back as three year olds, but after today im certain he has improved and we are definetly Auckland bound".

In the absence of regular pilot Dexter Dunn, who will be in Australia to drive Bettor's Strike in the Victoria Cup, Shane Walkinshaw will continue his association with Smiling Shard when he along with several other stablemates which include About Ambition, Holy Hero and Hip Hop Anvil are sent North in pursuit of greater riches. " Shane is a very talented reinsman, he's a thinker and im only to happy to give him the opportunity", said Dalgety.

Smiling Shard will leave this Friday(Dec 4) for Auckland and prepare for his first assignment on December 11, followed by the Elsu Classic a week later and ultimately the PGG Wrightson Sales Series final on December 31 for a purse of $200,000.

Steve DOLAN