Roma's Craig Smith to bow out after Birdsville Cup

By Glenn Davis

Roma trainer Craig Smith has been making his annual pilgrimage to Birdsville for almost two decades but this year will be his last.

Smith, who turns 60 in January next year, has decided to “ease back” from training after a hugely successful 42-year training career.

“Mum and dad passed away two years ago within three months of each other and I now run the show on a big property we own in Roma,” Smith said.

“It takes up a lot of my time running the property where we run cattle and grow a few crops.

“I’m not saying I’m getting out of racing altogether as I might be back as an owner.”

Smith made his first venture to Birdsville in 2003 and is making his 17th trip to the outback where he saddles Bors, a former Victorian, in the 1600 metre Birdsville Cup.

“It’s 1,140 kilometres from Roma to Birdsville and I first came here in 2003,” Smith said.

“It’s a challenge to get a horse here and a great thrill to win any race, let alone the Cup, which I’ve won twice.”

Smith won his first Birdsville Cup with Dancefloor Prodigy in 2012 before claiming the Melbourne Cup of the desert a second time with Fast Fella in 2017.

Bors has started only once for Smith who paid $7,000 for the son of Fastnet Rock at an Inglis online auction.

“He’s only had one run for me when he ran third at Roma a few weeks ago after I got him off Gavin Bedggood in Victoria,” Smith said.

“I thought he’d be competitive that day but he knocked up and needed the run.

“It’s not a bad Cup field this year but he’s a good each-way chance and last year’s winner Neodium looks the one to beat again."

While Smith has been one of the most successful trainers in Birdsville Cup history, he also is widely respected among city folk.

He rated former star galloper Harvey Lad as one of his best sprinters.

Harvey Lad won 18 times in his 84-start career including two Listed Doomben Stakes in Brisbane in 1995 and 1997.

In recent times, he claimed last year’s Battle Of The Bush Final at Eagle Farm with Art By Concorde.