Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}), placed in some of Australia's most important contests over the past few months, at last broke through at the top level and likely secured a spot at stud in Saturday's G1 Futurity S. at Caulfield. Breaking prominently alongside Showtime (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), Brave Smash and Craig Williams allowed that rival to take a clear lead down the side of the course while saving ground on the fence. Still on Showtime's heels while the Guineas winner Mighty Boss (Aus) (Not A Single Doubt {Aus}) moved up on the outside, Brave Smash looked as if he may have an lucky trip once again as they turned for home and he had nowhere to go. When a gap opened between Showtime and Mr Sneaky (Aus) (High Chaparral {Ire}) at the 150, Brave Smash burst through as his stablemates Tosen Stardom (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) and Humidor (NZ) (Teofilo {Ire}) made headway down the middle of the track. Brave Smash found the line 3/4 of a length to the good of Group 1 winner Tosen Stardom, with Showtime sticking on for third and Humidor filling fourth.
Saturday, Caulfield, Australia
FUTURITY S.-G1, A$502,000, MRC, 2-24, 3yo/up, Open Weight For Age, 1400mT, 1:23.16, Good.
1–BRAVE SMASH (JPN), 59.0, h, 5, by Tosen Phantom (JPN)
1st Dam: Tosen Smash (JPN), by Tokai Teio (JPN)
2nd Dam: Annus Mirabilis (JPN), by Real Shadai (USA)
3rd Dam: Scarlet Blue (JPN), by Northern Taste (CAN)
1ST GROUP AND GROUP 1 WIN. O-Australian Bloodstock, Mt
Hallowell Stud, Power Thoroughbreds, G Kairouz, Carty Racing,
Walker Racing, A Brogan, D Butcher, Platinum Breeding &
Racing, Dr P Goel, D Canny, T Porter; B-Takaya Shimakawa; T-D
K Weir; J-Craig Williams; A$302,000. Lifetime Record: SW &
GSP-Jpn, 20-4-6-3, A$2,145,436. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click
for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tosen Stardom (JPN), 59.0, h , 7, Deep Impact (JPN)–Admire
Kirameki (JPN), by End Sweep (USA). (¥262,500,000 Wlg 2012
J.R.H.A. Select Sale) O-Australian Bloodstock Tosen, K Yoshida,
T Shimakawa, Woodside Stardom (Mgr: M Tillett), Belannah
Stud (Mgr: G S Charny), N Bowden, D Grimley, G Ryan,
Burnewang North Pastoral; B-Northern Racing; T-D K Weir;
J-Ben Allen; A$90,000.
3–Showtime, 55.5, c, 3, Snitzel–Flidais, by Timber Country
(USA). (A$1,100,000 Ylg 2016 MM Gold Coast Yearling Sale)
O-Arrowfield Pastoral (Mgr: J M Messara), K Yoshida, Belford
Productions (Mgr: A B Jones), Pinecliff Racing (Mgr: J B Munz),
Koundouris Bloodstock (Mgr: A E Koundouris) & G P I Racing;
B-Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd NSW; T-M, W & J Hawkes; J-D
Dunn; A$45,000.
Margins: 0.8 len, 1.0 len, 3.0 len. Odds: 3.80, 5.00, 6.00.
Also Ran: Humidor (NZ), Snitzson, Mr Sneaky, Shillelagh (NZ), Mighty Boss, Wyndspelle (NZ), Lord of the Sky, Sovereign Nation. Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
A listed winner and group-placed in his native country, Brave Smash arrived Down Under last spring and set himself up as an immediate prospect for the inaugural A$10-million The Everest with a win and two seconds, all in listed company, right off the bat. Brave Smash wound up third, beaten a length, in The Everest. He was fifth in the G2 Australia S. on seasonal debut on Jan. 26, and was flying late to be third to Hartnell (GB) (Authorized {Ire}) in the G1 CF Orr S. on Feb. 10 after being forced to change course late. With no such significant problems on Saturday the bay was allowed to show his true colours.
“He put the writing on the wall last start and he's carried that form here today,” trainer Darren Weir told Racing.com. “What happened last start was just something that happens in racing; Johnny [Allen] was following the right horse and then Hartnell came under pressure so he decided to come off its back and as soon as he did, Hartnell went. Had he stayed on Hartnell's back he might've challenged him. We felt we had the horse in the right order so he just needed luck from the barrier and he got a great ride from Craig.”
Weir confirmed that Brave Smash, Tosen Stardom and Humidor would all advance to the G2 Blamey S. at Flemington on Mar. 17 with the G1 Doncaster H. at The Championships the following goal.
Pedigree Notes…
Brave Smash, who has a yearling full-sister waiting in the wings, hails from the extended family of Japanese champion miler and successful sire Daiwa Major (Jpn) (Sunday Silence), who appears under the fourth dam alongside his half-sister, the champion filly and G1 Arima Kinen winner Daiwa Scarlet (Jpn) (Agnes Tachyon {Jpn}).
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