Reykjavik ices Hannans

A gun ride by jockey Lucy Warwick helped deliver trainer Lindsey Smith a special victory in the Hannans Handicap (1400m) when Reykjavik claimed yesterday’s Listed feature at the Kalgoorlie-Boulder Racing Club.

Starting a heavily backed $2.60 favourite, Reykjavik settled midfield but was held up for clear running around the home turn.

Warwick found a gap early in the straight and the four-year-old responded, storming home along the inside of Roger The Roman to score by three-quarters of a length.

Roger The Roman ($10) loomed as the winner after taking the lead at the 100m but had to settle for second again after he was runner-up in last year’s Hannans Handicap.

War God ($31) was third.

Smith has tried to win the Hannans multiple times but fallen short during nearly 30 years of training.

“It’s very special to me,” Smith said.

“It’s one of my favourite places.

“My favourite people live here and I’m so glad to win this race.

“I don’t know whether you can ride a horse better than that.

“He had the ability — he’s still a stallion and we had to work hard to change his mind in the heavy sand.

“His attitude’s changed and now he’s just a docile stallion.

“He’ll have a well-earned rest now.”

Warwick won the Hannans for the second time after guiding Royal Rada to victory in 2015.

“It didn’t go to plan,” Warwick said.

“But he was really tough.

“He bullocked his way through and it was a super win.”

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