Australian Bloodstock director Jamie Lovett was very bullish when asked about his runners for the upcoming weekend of racing, most notably Everest bound Brave Smash, who is a near definite starter in The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick on Saturday where he takes on reigning Everest champ Redzel.
Brave Smash, who placed behind Redzel in The Everest last year, resumed at Caulfield in the Heath (1100m) where he ran third to Ball Of Muscle and it was a run that pleased Lovett heading into the Spring.
“I thought his effort at Caulfield was enormous,” Lovett told Justhorseracing.
“He was nowhere near screwed down for that race and to his credit, I thought he stuck on really well behind a quality sprinter.
That resumption followed some very good signs in pieces of work and jump outs and it has Lovett very confident about the horse heading into this weekend, where he’s likely going to take on Redzel at Randwick, with Hugh Bowman booked to ride.
“We will likely accept as well for the Bobbie Lewis (1200m) but I’m pretty certain we will head to Randwick,” Lovett said.
“There should be cut in the ground at Randwick which will suit him.”
The Melbourne Cup winning owner is very confident his charge will more than hold his own on Saturday and indeed in the $13 Million Everest on October 13, with a run in between likely.
“The way Weiry is talking, he wants the horse to run in The Everest fourth up,’ he said.
“It’ll be likely the horse will come back to Melbourne and run in the Moir (1000m) but there is also the Premiere (1200m) depending on track conditions.”
The six year old was very good in the early part of the Autumn, highlighted by a win in the Futurity (1400m) before a narrow second in the Newmarket (1200m). It was then where Lovett laments the remainder of the campaign.
“He wasn’t right after the Newmarket,” He revealed.
“I should have tipped him out after it but the TJ Smith was there and then he was tired leading into the All Aged.
“But he’s come back in outstanding order, his work the other morning was first class and I’m surprised the bookies are underestimating him.”
While Lovett has one eye on Brave Smash and his charge towards The Everest, he also has an eye on new acquisition and leading Melbourne Cup contender Torcedor, who is now with Andreas Wohler and both he and Lovett are happy with his progression.
“Andreas is thrilled with the way Torcedor is coming along,” Lovett told Justhorseracing.
“He will race in the Preis Von Europa (2400m) on September 23 and then come to Australia via the second shipment but so far so good with him.
“His overseas form with Stradivarius does read very well and reading between the lines with Greg (Carpenter), I dare say he’ll get around the 56-57kg weight for the Cup.”
It’ll be a big weekend for Lovett and Australian Bloodstock with a host of runners, and here is what he thinks of their chances:
Plein Ciel (Cameron Handicap) – “He has an outstanding second up record and that was the case last time. It’s a bit of a throw at the stumps because I’m not sure he’s sharp enough against some of these but the horse is going very well and if he doesn’t have the zip to go with them, we’ll look to step him up to 2000m+.”
Princess Posh (Tibbie Stakes) – “At first i was disappointed with her Mona Lisa effort but Glyn (Schofield) said they crawled down the side and they dashed home, which wasn’t her go. Doesn’t look as if it’ll be an overly strong race and she’ll be much better on firmer footing and back on her home track.”
Aliferous/Sunreel (Spring Stakes) – “We’ll likely accept both for the Spring and Class 2. But it’s a decent blacktype race so I dare say they’ll run in the Spring Stakes. I’m very keen to see what Sunreel does. She’s improving out of her sight and her work last week was outstanding.”
Danon Liberty – “I’ve got him nominated everywhere. He’s a working progress but I thought he was very good in the Penny Edition. I’m hoping he can be a Cantala/Emirates horse, similar to Tosen Stardom. If he produces what he shows at home, he’s a Group l winner in waiting.”
Big Duke (Kingston Town Stakes) – “He’s half a run behind and I think he might need one more before we see his best. The Heatherlie was no real guide. I don’t think Johnny (Allen) rode him the best. I think the horse is going the same, if not better, than last year. I’d like to get him to a Caulfield Cup but obviously his form has to warrant a start.”
