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Let's Elope guide for Silent Surround

Thursday 2 September 2010
By Robert Windmill

Trainer Bill Smart hopes the Group Two Let's Elope Stakes will help clarify Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate plans for promising stayer Silent Surround.

"I think Saturday at Flemington will tell us a bit," Oakbank-based Smart said.

"I have got her nominated for the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup but I am not sure of the path to take.

"I am sure she will stay nicely if we can get her to relax."

Silent Surround has won two of her 12 starts including the Group Three South Australian Sires' Produce Stakes (1600m).

While winless last spring she was Group Two-placed twice at Flemington when a close third in the Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) and second to Faint Perfume in the Wakeful Stakes (2000m).

Smart blames himself for Silent Surround's midfield finish in the VRC Oaks to Faint Perfume when his decision to put pacifiers on to help her relax backfired.

"I put pacifiers on her to settle her a bit but it didn't work at all," Smart said.

Silent Surround has benefited from an extended break after missing the autumn and Smart brought her to Melbourne last week in preparation for the Let's Elope.

"She came over about a week ago to Eric Musgrove's place (at Cranbourne) and she has settled in beautifully," Smart said.

"She is just about perfect in every regard.

"She is a lovely, big, strong mare now and I think she is going much better than she was last year."

Silent Surround made an eye-catching return to racing three weeks ago when fourth to Rebel Raider in the Group Three Spring Stakes (1200m) in Adelaide and the extra 200m will be in her favour at Flemington.

Seemingly struggling for most of the way on the rain-affected track last start she charged home late to the surprise of both Smart and jockey Simon Price who rides her again on Saturday.

"She had no confidence early in the race and he (Price) thought at the 500 metres she was going to finish three lengths behind the second last horse," Smart said.

Silent Surround has had the right lead-up to the Let's Elope with 14 of the last 16 winners being successful second-up in the feature.

Irish Lights, Small Minds, My Emotion, Lady Lynette, Response and No Evidence Needed are also fitter for first-up assignments.

Silent Surround is at $23 with TAB Sportsbet while Lady Lynette heads the market at $4.80 from Response ($5), Rhythm In Paris ($6.50) and the Bart Cummings-trained Dariana ($7.50) who resumes after her Queensland Derby win in June.