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John Schell
April 20, 2026 — 5:00pm
Wellington Cup-winning apprentice Liberty Smyth will be out to continue her run of good form with four rides at Tuesday’s Taree meeting.
The Bjorn Baker-prepared Perfumist was Smyth’s ride in the Wellington Cup, a Big Dance eligibility race she won last Sunday week. She enjoyed another victory on Sunday at Grafton when scoring on Rich Star, and after riding at Muswellbrook on Monday she will head to Taree with high hopes of success.
Smyth will partner last-start winner Talana for trainer Sally Taylor in the 12 May Gloucester Cup Benchmark 66 Handicap (1614m). She also partners the Joseph Burges-prepared Varazze in the Functions @ MVRC Country Boosted Maiden Plate (1312m) and Cupid’s Kiss for Jeremy Sylvester in the TAB Venue Mode Benchmark 66 Handicap (1007m).
Her other Taree mount is the Kris Lees-trained debut winner Dancingontherosso, which will line up in the Vale Dianne Larter F&M Benchmark 58 Handicap (1262m).
Dancingontherosso is one of five Lees runners set to go around at the meeting, and the trainer has been suitably impressed with Smyth’s form.
“She’s riding well and horses seem to travel for her,” Lees said. “Her ride to win the Wellington Cup for Bjorn [Baker] was very good on a horse that had a big weight, and I’m more than happy to put her on.“
Dancingontherosso won at Tuncurry at her only start when charging to the line from well back to score with Smyth aboard.
“She rode her well that day and didn’t panic even though they were a fair way back,” Lees said. “The filly hit the line well for an impressive win and I think she can go on with the job at Taree.”
Lees will open the day at Taree when William Stanley rides Antilopini in the Sky International Maiden Handicap (1007m). Stanley will also be aboard Trumper when it clashes with stablemate Dark Justice (Andrew Gibbons) in the Cafe Nosh C,G&E Benchmark 58 Handicap (1262m).
It’s Ok will be the other starter for Lees with Stanley to also partner it in the XXXX Maiden Plate (1614m).
