New Group performer for Smart Missile
The Phillip Stokes-trained filly Smart Manoeuvre has joined Sassy ‘N’ Smart and Smart Amelia to give Smart Missile three Group performers from his first crop – more than Snitzel and Not A Single Doubt at the same stage of their careers.
Smart Manoeuvre’s effort impressed because she had to circle the field round the home turn to put herself in contention and, although Tris had already pinched the winning break on the rail, Smart Manoeuvre found enough to challenge Ariaz (by Charge Forward) for second, missing by a head.
Watch Smart Manoeuvre’s 3rd in the SAJC Breeders’ S. G3.
Raced by a partnership including Mill Park Stud and her breeders Ray Bradmore and Wayne Raven, Smart Manoeuvre is the first foal of the stakes-placed city winner Furline (by Tale of the Cat), herself a daughter of dual Group 2 winner Umaline.
Smart Missile’s out-of-the-box ability on the track has been matched by his unprecedented popularity with breeders and buyers since he began stud duties at Arrowfield in 2012.
The son of Fastnet Rock has been one of Australia’s busiest stallions over the past four breeding seasons and tellingly, several leading buyers returned to buy his yearlings this year after snapping up members of his first crop in 2015.
New Zealand syndicator David Ellis at Te Akau Racing is one of them. He purchased Arrowfield’s Smart Missile-Panorama Ridge filly for $150,000 at Inglis Easter last year, named her Sassy ‘N’ Smart and watched her compile a debut win, a Listed success and a Group 2 second in her first three starts.
Ellis got to work early in the 2016 sales season, buying Smart Missile’s second-crop son out of Ocelot (by Take of the Cat) for $140,000 from Arrowfield at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.
Similarly, Debbie Keptis’ Woppitt Bloodstock paid $400,000 for Amarina Farm’s Smart Missile-Rain Melody filly at last year’s Magic Millions Sale. Named Missile Coda, that filly also won on debut at Kembla Grange on 2 April, three months after Woppitt Bloodstock paid $220,000 for Coolmore’s Smart Missile-Rubinacci colt on the Gold Coast.
Other repeat purchasers of Smart Missile’s yearlings include trainers Mick Price & Aquanita Racing, agents Paul Moroney, Duncan Ramage & Paul Willetts and syndicators Darby Racing, Prime Thoroughbreds, Star Thoroughbreds & Triple Crown Syndications.
Overall, at the first sessions of the Magic Millions, Inglis Easter, Melbourne Premier & Classic Sales, 66 lots by Smart Missile have sold for up to $500,000, averaging $129,772, more than six times his fee, which remains at $22,000 inc. GST.
