The Gold Coast-based Renita Beaton sees Wednesday’s Voodoo Ranger Handicap at Ipswich as a prime third-up spot for Smart As Smart, heightening her frustration with the wide gate drawn.

For the 1710m benchmark 70 affair, the Smart Missile gelding got barrier 12 in a field of 12 with one reserve.

She is prepared to proceed with the six-year-old Ipswich double winner only in the event of multiple scratchings.

“We’ve had to run him from terrible draws in the past and he’s just been one of the most unlucky horses and I just don’t want to do that to his owners again,” Beaton said.

“Look, we might draw bad again next time and you have to go around, but if I can protect him for one more run I will.

“We’ll wait until tomorrow to see if there are any scratchings and if there is we may run him.”

Jace McMurray will handle the ride on Smart As Smart if he goes, claiming 2kg for a 59kg impost.

His return saw a Class 5 triumph at 1350m on Doomben on April 1, succeeded by a luckless second over 1640m in the same level two weeks later.

Having sourced the horse from Ron Quinton a shade over two years prior, Beaton is optimistic about his third-up prospects, citing peak condition regardless of location.

“He’s in really good order, he’s always been such a consistent horse for me,” Beaton said.

“Every time I take him to the races he seems to show up and he’s very honest.

“He’s in very good order, he’s racing very well and consistently and there’s no reason why he won’t go and do that again.”

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