Lindsey Smith has had a tough twelve months that has included a failed move from Warrnambool to Danny O’Brien’s Barwon Heads property.
Now based at St Leonards on the Bellarine Peninsula, Smith seems to have found his groove again. He may be managing a smaller team than he did at the peak of his powers, but it appears to be working.
Smith enjoyed a memorable double on Oaks Day.
The first leg came courtesy of First Chorus, a promising four-year-old mare who posted her third win in five starts. The win also provided Jamie Mott with his first success of the Cup Carnival.
Smith then capped the day by claiming the rich $500,000 Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final with another four-year-old mare, Guerite, who narrowly held off Barbie’sdreamworld.
Another race, another thrilling finish 🔥
GUERITE holds on over the 1600m to win for Fred Kersley and @LSmithRacing.
🎥 @wwos | #OaksDay | #MelbCupCarnival pic.twitter.com/Kmz18jlIg8
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 6, 2025
After the race, Smith reflected on the challenges of the past year.
“It has been a rocky road in the last 12 months. I was feeling like a gypsy,” Smith said.
“To the staff at home, it has been a bumpy road but everyone has worked hard and although it isn’t a Group One, it means a lot to us now being a Geelong boy.”
Smith paid credit to Guerite’s jockey Fred Kersley and the team at Rosemont Stud.
“That was a good result. Well ridden again by the jockey. He’s done a lot of work, Fred, and I can’t thank Rosemont Stud and the agistment farm enough.”
“We send a few horses there to reset, to spend a day or two in the paddock and go on the treadmill. It just gives you a bit of longevity with horses.”
“She’s had a few issues with soundness in her time, but the walls kept stacking up on her and she kept climbing them.”
