Brave Smash Filly Wins G2 Light Fingers – Half-Brother Inglis Easter

Tara Madgwick - Saturday February 17

The Gary Portelli trained filly Kimochi was a model of consistency last spring starting in six stakes races to place in all of them without winning, so when she poked her nose in front to take out the $300,000 Group II ATC Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday few could begrudge her the sweet taste of success.

Kimochi edges out Learning to Fly to win her first stakes race - image Steve Hart

Kimochi raced deep into the spring finishing second to Joliestar in the Group I MRC Thousand Guineas on November 18, so had a fitness edge over her rivals and in the final strides it proved an advantage. She let down with a savage turn of foot to charge home and win by a long head over brilliant Justify (USA) filly Learning to Fly, who was having her first run since being injured in last year’s Golden Slipper.

Holding down third place was Hellbent filly Kristilli, who won the Group II ATC Percy Sykes Stakes at two before losing her form last spring, but she’s obviously back in a big way.

 

&quo

Advertisement
t;When the second horse moved up I thought, 'here we go again', we're going to get beat(en) again'," Portelli said.

"I was ready for the sad story, but she fought strongly and we're in for a big prep.

"She's got that tenacity hasn't she. She came off the carpet there, I thought she was gone for sure.

"She wanted to win today and she deserved it."

The place-getters will all do battle again in two weeks time when they contest the Group I ATC Surround Stakes (1400m) at Randwick.

Kimochi returns a stakes-winner ! - image Steve Hart

A $21,000 Inglis Weanling Sale purchase from Valiant Stud for Hall of Fame Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Kimochi has the overall record of two wins and eight placings from 10 starts and has earned just shy of $900,000 in prizemoney.

Bred by Aquis, Kimochi is the best of two winners from unraced I Am Invincible mare Summer Fun, a half-sister to Group III placed Real Charisma from Group I placed Summerbliss tracing back to international Group I winning mare Infamy.

Summer Fun was bought by Kia Ora Stud at the 2022 Inglis Broodmare Sale for $80,000 and her yearling colt by Russian Revolution is in their draft for Inglis Easter as Lot 327.

Summer Fun produced a filly by Captivant last spring and is now in foal to Farnan.

Kimochi is the second stakes-winner for Brave Smash (Jpn), who now stands at Yarraman Park after starting his career with Aquis. He covered 112 mares last spring at a fee of $33,000 at his new home.

 

Advertisment

Race Result - TAB Light Fingers Stakes Gr2 1200m

Randwick Track: Soft(5) Time: 1:09.35
1
Kimochi
- 3f Brave Smash (JPN) x Summer Fun (AUS) (I Am Invincible (AUS))
Tnr: G Portelli Rdr: J R Collett 56
Brave Smash
2
0.1
Learning To Fly
- 3f Justify (USA) x Ennis Hill (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: C Schofield 56
Justify
3
1.8
Kristilli
- 3f Hellbent (AUS) x Sognani (AUS) (Magic Albert (AUS))
Tnr: Annabel Neasham Rdr: Zac Lloyd 56
Hellbent
Inglis Classic Yearling Sale $170,000
Seller: Yarraman Park Stud, Scone
Buyer: Annabel Neasham Racing / L Jelfs
4
2.3
Stefi Magnetica
- 3f All Too Hard (AUS) x Mid Summer Music (AUS) (Oamaru Force (AUS))
Tnr: Bjorn Baker Rdr: J Parr 56
5
2.6
Facile
- 3f Trapeze Artist (AUS) x I Like It Easy (AUS) (Pierro (AUS))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: Tim Clark 56
6
2.8
Tiz Invincible
- 3f I Am Invincible (AUS) x Amuletum (GB) (New Approach (IRE))
Tnr: C Maher Rdr: J B Mc Donald 56
7
3.1
Arctic Glamour
- 3f Frosted (USA) x Fartoo Flashy (AUS) (Galileo (IRE))
Tnr: G Ryan & S Alexiou Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
8
4
Autumn Ballet
- 3f The Autumn Sun (AUS) x Grisi (AUS) (Street Cry (IRE))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: A Hyeronimus 56
9
5.4
Kind Words
- 3f Written Tycoon (AUS) x Gracious Grey (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: K A Lees Rdr: S Clipperton 56
10
16.3
Mumbai Muse
- 3f Zoustar (AUS) x Mumbai Rock (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Freedman Rdr: Tommy Berry 56
11
18
I'm A Steel
- 3f Real Steel (JPN) x Moonchild (AUS) (Charge Forward (AUS))
Tnr: B Joseph & P & M Jones Rdr: Dylan Gibbons 56
More Reading...
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
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.
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.
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.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
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.