Every Post a Winner for Denny

Townsville convert Denicious “Denny” Smith was quick to tip his hat to injured colleague Graham Kliese after landing a hard earned win on Our Addiction at Cluden yesterday.

South African born Smith, one of the hardest working jockeys at the Cluden track, turned around a frustrating day of placings when he steered the Ben Williams-trained gelding to an all the way win in the last, the Brown Brothers 0-55 Hcp.

The likeable hoop had earlier finished with two thirds and two fourths before a runaway win on Our Addiction brought out his trademark smile.

But he was quick though to acknowledge Kliese’s work with Williams to have the four-year-old spot on for his first-up win.

“All of my mounts ran very well but thank god the last one got there. I’m pretty chuffed,” Smith said.

“I rode Our Addiction at the trials and I came back to Benny and said ‘wow this trialed great’ and he said ‘guess what? you’re riding it when it starts’.

“Big thank you to Ben and I just want to say well done to Graham Kliese because he’s been doing a lot of work on the horse at home and deserves a lot of the credit.

“I think He’s (Our Addiction) just a horse that’s needed some time. I don’t see why he can’t go on and win a few more.”

“When Graham was injured Ben asked me to help out more in the yard and he said to me let’s see if we can’t get you a few more rides.

“We’ve always got on well and I’m just glad that I could get a win for him.”

Since moving to Townsville two years ago Smith has worked hard at building support among local trainers and rides around 16 horses at trackwork in a morning.

“Since I moved from Victoria I’ve made my home here. I’ve had to tell myself to put my head down and work hard,” Smith said.

“In the mornings I try and get out to everybody. Even the smaller guys with one or two I give them a hand because you never know when the chance will come up to ride for them.”

Earlier on the day, Cairns apprentice Krysten Swaffer completed a successful comeback from injury with a bold front-running win on the Georgie Holt-trainer Siren Rock in the Hygain Open Hcp (1400m).

Swaffer landed the win at just her eighth ride back from a serious race fall at Cluden in April.

Carrying just 52kg, Siren Rock, normally a back type, was taken straight to the front by Swaffer and cruised home to a 1 ½ length win over Hell Of A Boy with Echo Point a brave third 2 ½ lengths away under 62kg.  

Townsville-based apprentice Isabella Teh sealed a memorable 48 hours with a winning double, following on from two winners at Mareeba on Boxing Day.

Teh guided Roweiner’s Dance to a brilliant win in the Vetta Creative 2YO Hcp (1000m) and turned in a heady ride to win on Conquering Judas in the Mitavite BM 65 Hcp (1609m).

Pictured: A big smile from Denny Smith and the connections of Our Addiction after winning the Brown Brothers 0-55 Hcp.

See the racing calendar for upcoming race days.