Snitzel’s Smoko blows them away again in Perth
In little more than 5 weeks, Snitzel’s 3YO son Smoko has stamped himself one of the most exciting young horses racing in Perth. He maintained his unbeaten record with his third win at Belmont this afternoon and did it in a manner that indicates richer prizes are well within his reach.
Jockey William Pike took him straight to the front from barrier 12 and he had no trouble maintaining his lead, then extending it to win the 1200-metre event by almost 3 lengths with his ears pricked. He has now won his 3 starts by the impressive total of 11.5 lengths.
Smoko is yet another talented performer from the Bellerive Stud draft at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale. Other graduates of that draft include multiple Group winner Snitzerland ($125,000), Group 2 winner Flying Snitzel ($25,000), multiple Singapore stakeswinner Stepitup ($90,000), Group 1-placed South African filly Honorine ($80,000) and Group 2-placed Road Trippin’ ($22,500) who posted his fourth win at Sandown on Wednesday.
Smoko was purchased by owner Frank Fiore who told Jay Rooney from The West Australian after the gelding’s second win that he is not tempted by any purchase offers at this stage. “It would have to be a pretty good offer to even think about it. Potential wise, he’s definitely one of the best I’ve had.”
Co-trainer Clint Price confirmed Smoko will now be spelled and an Ascot summer carnival campaign will be considered. He said, “That was probably his best win to date. That was huge…to be able to kick again after doing a bit of work to cross, he’s definitely something special.
“Obviously there are sprint races between 1000 and 1200 metres that will be suitable for him later this year. We’ll give him a let-up now and have a sit down and work out a plan for his next campaign.”
Bred by Arrowfield in partnership with Planette Thoroughbred, Smoko is the last foal of the Bletchingly mare London Lights, a city-winning daughter of Travel Light (Queensland Oaks G1), from the dazzling New Zealand speed family of Tudor Light and Elabama. London Lights did a fine job at stud, leaving 7 winners from nine to race, notably Only A Lady (AJC Flight S. G1) and Adelaide stakeswinner Lisson Grove.
Smoko has now contributed almost $70,000 to Snitzel’s outstanding $6.4 million season in Australia. His 11 stakeswinners in 2012/13, headed by quality 3YOs Snitzerland, Flying Snitzel & Sizzling and 2YO filly Sweet Idea, and his clear 7th position on the Australian General Sires’ list all confirm that he is, indeed, a major sire in the making.
Snitzel stands in 2013 at a fee of $49,500 inc. GST and will be on parade at Arrowfield during the Stud’s Open House sessions, 22-25 August.
