VRC Oaks-winning trainer Robert Smerdon will make a foray into Asian racing with promising sprinter Eclair Mystic.
Smerdon’s Hong Kong-owned Eclair Mystic is one of five overseas runners invited to run in the Premier Cup in Macau.
The 1300m race carries $250,000 in stakes and Eclair Mystic will be third highest rated overseas runner in the race behind Hong Kong galloper Dynamic Blitz and Majestic Myles from the United Kingdom.
Smerdon, who trains under the Aquanita Racing banner, saddled up Mosheen to a nine-length VRC Oaks win last week.
Eclair Mystic finished midfield in a Listed sprint at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day – the four-year-old’s only spring carnival appearance.
“The horse left for Macau on Sunday,” Aquanita racing manager Sam Doran said.
Smerdon is no stranger to international success after training outstanding jumper Zabenz to a Grade One win in the United States.
Eclair Mystic won five successive races last year before his winning run came to an end against older horses when third in the Standish Handicap.
The gelding posted the most important win of his 11-start career when he defeated Spirited Eagle in the Listed Zeditave Stakes at his next start.
Seven Macau-trained horses will line up in the November 18 race which also includes a runner from Singapore.
AAP TURF
