No Smash but another step towards Everest at Valley

Brad Waters - Saturday September 9

The line was possibly finer than desired but Brave Smash did enough to keep his Everest aspirations on track at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

Brave Smash beats El Divino (green & gold cap) at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Brave Smash made a big impression when a close second to Group I winner Vega Magic at his Australian debut last month to prompt talk of the import getting a berth in The Everest at Randwick on October 14.

Leading trainer Darren Weir tried to keep Brave Smash on the fresh side to leave the former Japanese galloper with improvement leading into the $10 million Everest, which may have prevented the entire from drawing away from his rivals in the Bendigo Bank Stakes (1200m).

Brave Smash raced closer to the speed for jockey Damian Lane before the son of Tosen Phantom did enough to beat stablemate El Divino by a half-length with Revolving Door a long neck further back in third.

Weir said he thought the $1.60 favourite would win by more than the half-length margin but there was plenty of improvement left in Brave Smash.

"I would have liked to see him run through the line and run away from them a bit better but he won so you don't mind that I guess," Weir said.

"We still know there is quite a lot to come and he's very well in himself and we're a fair way from getting to the bottom of him.

"We might just have to up the ante a bit if we're going to bigger and better things."

Syndicators Australian Bloodstock will have discussions with Everest slot holders in the coming week while Weir gets to work getting the five-year-old fitter for better races than Saturday's $120,00 contest.

"We'll have to sit down and have a bit of a think about it if he gets a slot," Weir said. "We'll see how he is tomorrow and see what happens during the week I guess.

"We sort of had him well enough today that he would take natural improvement and now really might screw him down if he happens to get a slot."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Thursday November 21
Here is the full list of 32 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Arkansaw Kid Brother Sells for $520,000
A well-related son of Harry Angel provided a late highlight in the final hour of the 2024 NZB Ready to Run Sale at Karaka on Thursday when he was knocked down to a $520,000 bid from bloodstock agent Morgan Carter.
Churchill Colt Pulls Off Stunning Pinhooking Result at NZB Ready To Run
Chad Ormsby has enjoyed plenty of racetrack success this year with pinhooks that he has been unable to sell at the Ready to Run Sale, but the multi-talented horseman had a very different outcome with the standout member of his 2024 Riverrock Farm draft at Karaka on Thursday.
Million-dollar Hour for Leung at NZB Ready To Run
Hong Kong bloodstock agent Willie Leung had a big hour at Karaka early on Thursday afternoon, spending more than $1 million to secure two well-credentialled colts at the NZB Ready to Run Sale.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
Vale, Danny Champion
The thoroughbred racing industry is in mourning following the passing of respected horseman Danny Champion.
Castelvecchio Out for Remainder of Season
Aeliana’s late charge into second place in the $1.5million Group I MRC Thousand Guineas last Saturday stamped her as the filly to follow out of the race, but it wasn’t quite enough to put her sire Castelvecchio to the top of the second season sires list and he is now out of service at Arrowfield following surgery last week.
Ka Ying Rising connection draws Hayes team to Shamexpress at Karaka
With one of the world’s most exciting sprinters flying the flag for David Hayes in Hong Kong, it has been no surprise to see the trainer’s sons zeroing in on progeny of Windsor Park Stud stallion Shamexpress during the Ready to Run Sale at Karaka this week.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.