Mayfield-Smith seeks Innovation to turn things around
By Andrew Eddy of The Age 02/10/02

Although much of the gloss has come off his stable of sprinters in recent weeks, trainer Brian Mayfield-Smith yesterday predicted a turnaround in fortunes at the crucial Flemington meeting on Saturday.

Mayfield-Smith said yesterday that although Innovation Girl was beaten at her first try at 1400 metres last start, he was keen to see the filly tested over the 1600 metres of Saturday's group two Edward Manifold Stakes.

"I think she'll get it (distance) all right," Mayfield-Smith said yesterday. "She was victim of circumstances at Caulfield with the big weight and wide barrier but I thought she toughed it out pretty well.

"If she can draw a barrier on Saturday, she should get a decent run in behind the pace and I'm confident she will then run out a strong mile."

If she shows she can handle the extra distance, Innovation Girl, who will be ridden by Nash Rawiller, will progress to the group one Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on October 16.

Saturday also sees Mayfield-Smith's one-time boom sprinter Rubitano revert to 1200 metres as he attempts to regain his form of early in the year.

"He's back to a shorter race on Saturday and that tempo should suit him as he didn't switch off at Caulfield over the longer trip," he said.

Stablemate Prince Rubiton is likely to go into the 1400-metre Scalzo Handicap on Saturday with his trainer hoping he can draw an inside alley, while promising three-year-old Lord Volksraad will run in the listed Concept Sports Stakes but will not back up in the Caulfield Guineas on October 12.

"He's a late November foal, so I've taken him along quietly. I am hoping we
might get him to the Carbine Club (Stakes at Flemington) over the carnival
and then put him away for the autumn," Mayfield-Smith said.