Smedley again showed the dour side of his nature at Ruakaka where he successfully defended his ITM Whangarei Gold Cup title.
The rising nine-year-old regularly hits a flat spot in his races and part-owner and trainer Clayton Stevenson emphasised that yesterday to his rider Jordan Nason.
"I said don't give up on him, he always gets a second wind and he'll keep coming," Stevenson said. "It was Jordan's first ride on him so we're all really pleased."
Smedley beat Candle In The Wind to take major honours in 2016 while Stevenson's late father Dick prepared half-sister Letsgoparty to win the Cup in 2008.
Smedley enjoyed a cosy run on the fence and he responded to Nason's urgings with a sustained finish that saw them triumph in a driving finish from the local hopes Kaharau, Zafrenzy and Greencast.