Bargain Buy Delivers Smart Missile a 14th Stakes-Winner

Tara Madgwick - Wednesday October 23

Group III placed twice previously, progressive Smart Missile mare Smart Coupe finally scored a well-deserved first Black Type success when resuming from a spell to win the $140,000 Listed The Breeze Retirement Stakes at Geelong on Wednesday.

Smart Coupe was bred by SF Bloodstock and carries the Newgate brandTrained by Matt Ellerton and Simon Zahra, Smart Coupe charged home from off the pace to score a length and a quarter win in the 1200 metre sprint.

A modest $22,000 Magic Millions Tasmania purchase for First Light Racing/Ellerton Zahra Racing from the Grenville Stud draft, Smart Coupe has proven a saleyard gift winning five races and placing six times from 20 starts earning prizemoney in excess of $315,000.

First Light Racing’s Catherine O’Dea was on hand to greet Smart Coupe as she returned to scale.

“She’s come back bigger and better and has been spot on in her trials, so we should be in for a good preparation,” she said.

“Spring is a great time of year so we’ll try and pick out a race in Cup Week for her,”

Smart Missile is the sire of Smart CoupeBred by SF Bloodstock, Smart Coupe was foaled and raised initially at Newgate Farm, but was passed in as a weanling before finally being sold in Tasmania as a yearling. She is the best of four winners from Group II winner Coupe, a half-sister by Spinning World (USA) to Group I winner Coupe de Grace.

The family is a very familiar one as Coupe is a grand-daughter of Group I winner Spirit of Kingston, whose family includes Australian Horse of the Year Rose of Kingston as well s Melbourne Cup winner Kingston Rule and Victoria Derby winner Portland Player.

Smart Coupe is the 14th stakes-winner for Twin Hills Stud’s Smart Missile, who stands this spring at a fee of $22,000.



 

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Race Result - The Breeze Retirement Stakes LR 1200m

Geelong Track: Good(3) Time: 1:11.00
1
Smart Coupe
- 5m Smart Missile (AUS) x Coupe (AUS) (Spinning World (USA))
Tnr: M Ellerton & S Zahra Rdr: Damian Lane 56
Smart Missile
2
1.3
Gina's Hope
- 5m Written Tycoon (AUS) x Elle Of A Westerly (AUS) (El Moxie (USA))
Tnr: Mitchell Freedman Rdr: B Melham 56
3
1.4
Into The Abyss
- 4m Foxwedge (AUS) x Moonboat (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: K Mc Evoy 56
Foxwedge
4
2.1
Nicconi Poni
- 5m Nicconi (AUS) x World Guide (NZ) (Defensive Play (USA))
Tnr: Mitchell Beer Rdr: J Mallyon 56
5
3.1
Super Hussey
- 5m Hussonet (USA) x Super Bucks (AUS) (Dash For Cash (AUS))
Tnr: Andrew Noblet Rdr: D W Stackhouse 56
6
3.2
Island Daze
- 5m Written Tycoon (AUS) x Pontington (AUS) (Delago Brom (AUS))
Tnr: G M Begg Rdr: Clayton Douglas 56
7
5.9
Doves Cry
- 5m Street Cry (IRE) x Family Crest (NZ) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: Henry Dwyer Rdr: Ben Allen 56
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