Tom Perth? New Home For Tom Melbourne

Tom Melbourne was all but retired before trainer Lindsey Smith got in touch with OTI Racing, convincing them to give the popular nine year-old another chance.

“Lindsey has proven he can get these gallopers back loving their racing and feeling settled and that’s exactly what he needs so we thought we’d give it a go,” said OTI Racing’s Terry Henderson.

Smith has confirmed Tom Melbourne will spend the next few months training over in Western Australia with new stablemate Black Heart Bart in the heavy sand, with the pair flying over to Perth on Monday.

The in-form trainer says he’s thrilled to take over the preparation of the veteran galloper and is planning on working him the same way that saw Black Heart Bart return to Group 1 glory.

“I’m excited about it and up for the challenge, it looks like he’s only got one more campaign in him and it would be great for him and his owners if he can win one of those big races,” he said.

“I’m confident the heavy sand training, like we did with Bart will make a big difference to him.”

Smith’s stable will be Tom Melbourne’s third since arriving in Australia following stints with Chris Waller and the Freedmans.

The cult hero is best known for his tendency to finish runner-up, recording second placings on 14 of his 49 starts, as well as six victories.

The son of Dylan Thomas has struggled with form recently with just one placing from his four-start spring campaign after an impressive autumn which culminated in a fifth in the G1 Stradbroke Handicap.

Smith said he’s hoping to have him back racing in a few months.

“It’s all in the foundation work from the heavy sand, it can sustain then throughout the prep.

“It would be amazing to see him run well in something like an Epsom.”

As for Black Heart Bart he will also spend the next few months working on the sand tracks before returning in the autumn.

“The start of his last prep was a bit muddled so hopefully he’ll be back even better next prep with some deep foundation work into him over the summer.

“I’d love to see him kick off first up over 1200m in something like the G1 Goodwood.”

– racing.com

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