First runner, first winner for Smart Missile

First runner, first winner for Smart Missile

First season sire Smart Missile posted his first winner when debutante Sassy ‘N’ Smart scored in dashing style on Saturday at the Riccarton Park metropolitan meeting in New Zealand.

The 2YO filly’s performance was all the more impressive because she missed the start by three lengths, then quickly closed the gap on the field, challenged the leader, last-start winner What Choux Want and pressed on to win by three-quarters of a length. Lord Ascot was three lengths away in third place. Sassy ‘N’ Smart winning time for the 800-metre trip was 45.99 on the Good3 track.

Watch Smart ‘N’ Sassy’s debut win.

Sassy “N’ Smart was bred by Matt & Jo Cloros with Arrowfield and purchased for $150,000 by Te Akau Racing from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the Inglis Easter Sale. 

She is the second foal of the US-bred mare Panorama Ridge (by Empire Maker), a daughter of dual French Group 1 winner Nebraska Tornado. Panorama Ridge also has a 3YO son King’s Choice (by Redoute’s Choice) in the Hawkes stable, a yearling colt by Redoute’s Choice, and a colt foal by Snitzel.