Lenny counting on Loobnan
August 14 Jason Hickson

Veteran trainer Len Smith is hoping to return from a five-year jumps exodus a winner with Loobnan at Cheltenham Park on Friday.

The Mount Gambier race meeting, moved to Cheltenham Park as the upgrade to the Mount Gambier track continues, is the perfect opportunity for Loobnan to kick off his hurdling career.

Smith’s last winner over the obstacles was Change Lady at Strathalbyn in September 1997, winning by 18.5 lengths at a lucrative 20/1. But not only was it Smith’s last hurdle winner, she may have even been his last hurdle runner.

"Change Lady was definitely my last hurdle winner," he said. "I can’t think of any other runners in between. I’ve had a few come along but I don’t think any made it to race day."

Top jumps jockey Grant Young rode Change Lady in 1997 and will ride Loobnan for his debut. Young, who is based at Cheltenham Park with Gary Kennewell, regularly rides the gelding in work and has schooled him extensively.

"I’ve been schooling Loobnan for almost two seasons," Smith said. "He earned his licence last year but I tipped him out and kept him for this season."

Smith would have preferred the distance of Friday’s race - 3036m to be slightly shorter but, overall, the transfer to Loobnan’s home track has worked out well.

"It would have been nice to start him off at 2800m, but he’s on his home track with his regular rider in the saddle," Smith said. "He’s done a lot of work leading up to this, and regularly gallops a couple of miles down at the beach. He trialled here (at Cheltenham Park) recently and went well so he should be ready to make his debut."

Smith said the gelding was an excellent hurdler and would have a couple of starts this time in for experience. Should he measure up, Oakbank next year looks the logical step but there’s also the Cup week hurdle at Flemington in November.