Indianna Weinert’s journey in racing reached new heights with Smooth Chino’s electrifying victory in the $250,000 Magic Millions WA 3YO Trophy (1200m). The unbeaten son of Maschino delivered a powerful turn of foot, marking his third win in as many starts and hinting at an exciting future ahead.
Ridden by Austin Galati, Smooth Chino’s triumph was not just a win for Weinert but a momentous achievement for one of racing’s rising figures. However, the road to victory was anything but smooth, with a series of obstacles testing Weinert’s resilience leading up to the race.
A treacherous journey to the track nearly derailed her chances, with not one but two flat tyres on the way from Albany, forcing her to arrive with just minutes to spare.
“It was a nightmare trip,” Weinert shared on Tabradio. “We fixed one tyre, but it caused another issue just a couple of kilometers down the road. We had to limp into Williams and call for help.”
A local farmer named Ross and a friend with a float came to the rescue, albeit with a windscreen-less vehicle. Despite the chaos, Weinert and Smooth Chino made it to the track just in time, though she feared her horse was too far back during the run.
But Smooth Chino lived up to his name, staying calm and composed amidst the turmoil. “He’s so laid-back, nothing fazes him,” Weinert said. “Even with all the fuss, he didn’t sweat up or get anxious. He just took it all in stride.”
With the Magic Millions now behind him, Smooth Chino will head to the paddock for a well-earned break before his next challenge.
“I don’t have any firm plans yet,” Weinert said. “He’s been in work a long time, so I just want him to enjoy some downtime.”
Purchased for $40,000 as a Magic Millions yearling, Smooth Chino has already amassed $169,800 in prize money. For Weinert, it was love at first sight. “I spotted him at the sales and knew he was the one,” she recalled. “I didn’t even go up to inspect him, I just knew I wanted him.”
Weinert’s path to training began in eventing before she transitioned to thoroughbred racing under the guidance of Albany trainer Roy Rogers. She later moved to Serpentine to apprentice with David Harrison, though weight issues prevented her from making a competitive riding debut.
Since beginning her training career in 2021, Weinert has saddled 18 winners from 294 starters, with her first victory coming via Carlin Road at Narrogin. Now, with Smooth Chino’s unbeaten streak, her career looks to be on a steep upward trajectory.
