Eureka Rebel had finished second and Dezignation fifth in the Tulloch Stakes won by Storm Leopard a week before the Derby.

Designation then ran second at $151 in the Derby won impressively by Godolphin's Green Spaces (Storm Leopard was third) while Eureka Rebel was in his stable box at Warwick Farm.

"Eureka Rebel had a tough run in the Tulloch Stakes and I felt he needed a few extra days to get over it,'' Smith explained.

"I have no regrets about missing the Derby because he's a promising horse with a big future. His work has been very good this week.''

Eureka Rebel goes back to the races for the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

A son of Smith's former multiple Group 1 winner Fierce Impact, Eureka Rebel begun his debut race preparation in late December and from six starts, he has a maiden win at Hawkesbury and his Group 2 second placing last start.

"He's done a super job in his first preparation,'' Smith said. "He will go for a spell now and I feel we have a nice horse for the spring.''

Smith is also in favour of spelling the emerging Portland win, lose or draw after he runs in the Group 3 $250,000 Japan Racing Association Plate (2000m).

Portland, a winner at Listed level in Ireland when formerly trained by Aidan O'Brien, has had three Australian starts since joining the Smith stable, improving with every run including his last start third in the Group 2 Neville Sellwood Stakes behind Wootton Verni and Caviar Heights.

"Portland is going along nicely, he's quite a talented horse,'' Smith said.

"He's run well each time for us but he hasn't been on a firm track before, I think he likes a bit of give in it, but we will find out more Saturday.

"I'm not sure if we will keep him going for Brisbane, he might go for a break and we will get himn ready for spring.''

Smith entered Placid Pearl for the JRA Plate but is likely to keep the mare for either the Wagga Wagga Gold Cup or the Gosford Gold Cup early next montgh.

Meanwhile, Smith will meet with the owners of outstanding Group 1 Queen of the Turf Stakes winner Idle Flyer on Friday to finalise the mare's race program for the Brisbane winter carnival.

Smith is considering whether to take Idle Flyer out in distance for the Doomben Cup (2000m) or keep the mare fresh for the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) and Tatts Tiara (1500m).

Photo: Bradley Photo