Darren Smith believes Newcastle visitor Welkom Gold can make a successful raid on the George Moore Stakes if the sprinter avoids a speed battle at Eagle Farm.Welkom Gold was his own worst enemy last start when he set a blistering pace in front when run down over 1200 metres by Geared Up at Rosehill on November 13.Smith is confident his sprinter can measure up to the strong Brisbane opposition in Saturday's Group Three feature but wants to see him ridden off the pace.Welkom Gold has already been

Darren Smith believes Newcastle visitor Welkom Gold can make a successful raid on the George Moore Stakes if the sprinter avoids a speed battle at Eagle Farm.

Welkom Gold was his own worst enemy last start when he set a blistering pace in front when run down over 1200 metres by Geared Up at Rosehill on November 13.

Smith is confident his sprinter can measure up to the strong Brisbane opposition in Saturday's Group Three feature but wants to see him ridden off the pace.

Welkom Gold has already been placed at Group Three level when runner-up to Swift Alliance in The Sebring (1100m) at Rosehill in April.

"He was his own worst enemy last start. He just went too fast for his own liking and led by four lengths," Smith said.

"He doesn't have to lead and I'd prefer him to take a sit in this field if possible."

Smith, who has booked in-form jockey Chris Munce to ride the son of Johannesburg, has decided not to return to Brisbane with Welkom Gold for the Listed Lough Neagh Stakes (1350m) at Doomben in a fortnight.

"He arrived up safe and well yesterday but he'll be going back home on Monday," Smith said.

"At this stage the Lough Neagh has not been pencilled in for him."

Smith, who has 40 horses in work at Broadmeadow, is hoping a heavy track will also boost Welkom Gold's prospects.

"He gets through the going okay and a wet track will mean he and the others won't go as fast," he said.

"That should help him on a heavy track."

Welkom Gold, winner of the Listed Maurice McCarten Stakes in the autumn, finished seventh in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Randwick on October 16 before scoring over 1200 metres at Rosehill two weeks later.

In the Lightning Handicap, Keen Commander and Welkom Gold engaged in a speed duel before both horses weakened with Keen Commander finishing 12th.

Munce, who landed a treble at Doomben on Wednesday, has ridden Welkom Gold twice in his 19-start career for a win at Rosehill in May last year and a sixth at Canterbury a fortnight later.

Munce has ridden for Smith many times with their best pair feature success with Madame Pedrille in the Listed The Nivison at Randwick and Listed Sheraco Stakes at Rosehill last year.

Trainer Vicki McLeod will saddle up her fourth starter with veteran sprinter Forestreno in the race.

McLeod is the wife of Grafton trainer Phil McLeod who has been sidelined with a broken foot.

"It's been over four months since he broke his foot when he fell from the back of a truck," she said.

"He's still in a lot of pain and not very mobile so he transferred the horses to me to train while he's recovering."

McLeod has had only three starters since being licensed for two wins with Black Katana at Grafton while Forestreno finished sixth at Doomben on November 6.