Smerdon’s stable has increased dramatically in size since his Aquanita Racing colleague Tony Vasil stepped aside from training duties.

As well as numbers, his strike rate of late is up around 33 per cent.

Politeness will carry the Caulfield/Ballarat trainer’s hopes in the group 3 $200,000 Bell Stakes, 1200m, at Randwick today.

He also has Driving Louise in the listed $120,000 Galilee Series Final, 2400m, at Caulfield.

Smerdon will also have a presence at Morphettville, with Lexgetreddy – a winner of debut at Sandown Hillside – in the listed $80,000 Dequetteville Stakes for two-year-old fillies, 1000m, and Every Faith in the group 3 $115,000 Schweppervescence Stakes for three-year-old fillies, 1800m.

Every Faith clashes with Darren Weir’s last-start Moonee Valley filly May’s Dream, which has the top weight of 57kg.

Weir also has group 1-winning mare Platelet, which is also coming off a victory at Moonee Valley, in the group 3 $115,000 Irwin Stakes, 1100m, and Rich Rivers in the listed 80,000 Port Adelaide Guineas, 1800m.

Coghills Creek trainer Terry Kelly has Whistle Stop in the Guineas.

BALLARAT stables can finish off the Mildura Pacing Cup Carnival on a high tonight.

Michael Stanley and Emma Stewart each have runners in the group 2 $50,000 Mildura Pacing Cup, 2600m – Hilltop Hustler and Metro Mike respectively.

Stanley has already had a win at the carnival, with two-year-old Morior Invictus ($3.60) scoring on debut on Thursday night.

Colin Holloway kicked off the carnival on Tuesday night by winning with Excuse To Live ($10.40) in a C2-C3 pace heat, 2190m.

The four-year-old now backs up in a final tonight.

BETTOR Downunder might be on an oaks course after a classy victory in the McCallum 3yo Pace, 2200m, at Ballarat harness races on Wednesday night.

After failing to get away smoothly at her only previous two starts, Bettor Downunder ($2.70 favourite) was on her best behaviour as she landed the money for Ross Creek trainer Steve Loftus.

Reinsman Nathan Jack had no hesitation in taking the filly to the deathseat.

By Bettors Delight, Bettor Downunder was bred by the Ronan family and is the first winner out of former handy racemare Treble Trebla.

Trebla Trebla won 12 races for almost $85,000, with five of her successes being at Bray Raceway.

She was one of seven winners left by prolific producing mate Norwood Topsie.

IMA Little Tycoon ($8.70) continued the successful association between Burrumbeet trainer Ashleigh Herbertson and Queensland’s Burrows family by scoring in a heat of the Eureka Series, 2200m.

Herbertson, who spent an extended time in Queensland, has prepared numerous winners for the Burrows.

Ima Little Tycoon was having just his third Victorian start.

The four-year-old had just three starts in Queensland and, before joining the Herbertson team, had not raced since 2012.

The gelding is the first winner out of New Zealand-bred mare Armbro Magic, which won five races.

LOTSA Life ($1.60 favourite) continued his fine form with an all-the-way victory in a C1 pace, 1710m, in Ballarat on Wednesday night.

He held out Ithappenstbeametro ($3.30) to bring up his sixth career win in 21 starts.

Trained by Basil Dooley at Allendale, Lotsalife has only missed a top-three finish once in his latest 10 starts, which feature four wins.

david.brehaut@fairfaxmedia.com.au