With apologies to organisers of The Everest, barrier draws can tend to be sedate affairs but there was thunderous applause from a large gathering of Super Smink’s owners at Ascot’s Chairman’s Lounge on Tuesday and for very good reason after their wishes were granted.
Joining the celebration was trainer Dan Morton, usually understated and not prone to getting too excited about racing affairs, but he also could barely contain his delight and walked away confident all was in readiness for Super Smink’s Group1 bid on Saturday.
Following a cracking third from the back of the field when stepping from gate 15 in last fortnight’s Railway Stakes (1600m), Super Smink’s hopes for a turnaround in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) soared significantly after she drew perfectly in barrier six.
Along with gun three-year-old, Storyville, Super Smink leads the local contingent as they attempt to stymie the eastern states visitors making it a clean sweep of Perth’s Group 1s after Port Lockroy won the Railway and Overpass the Winterbottom (1200m).
“She’s got a bit of a racing pattern now, “Morton said.
“She did get back (Railway) and rattled hard and who knows you draw another marble you might win the race.
“She’s got a good gate this week and we’ll give it another shot.”
That Super Smink’s in contention and in line for Group 1 glory and rich prize money would have appeared an ambitious task after a disappointing campaign earlier this year.
It got off on the wrong foot in the Quokka (1200m) when running last and it didn’t improve in follow ups when unplaced three more times before Morton pulled up stumps.
A history-making two-year-old, Super Smink became the first horse to win WA’s feature treble: the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m), Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) and Group 3 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), but she couldn’t get warm in the autumn and winter.
In contrast her form this time in has been almost flawless with Morton crediting a trouble-free preparation as being the key. After encouraging placings in the Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m) and Eurythmic Stakes (1400m), Super Smink found the winner’s cheque again in the Asian Beau Stakes (1400m), before her eye-catching Railway Stakes run.
“This whole prep has been seamless, so far,” Morton said.
“I’ve been confident in all her races leading in this time around.
“She hasn’t drawn a marble and when she drew a good gate she won.
“All the other races she’s had outside gates and forced to go back than she needed to be.
“I’m confident she’s going as good as ever.
“I couldn’t be happier with her.
“I feel we’ve got her where she needs to be.”
Perfect barrier, peak form, top jockey, Chris Parnham engaged, the cards are in play for Super Smink to run a big race in the Northerly Stakes.
The only box left to tick is 1800m, it’s unchartered territory for the Super One mare, but Morton doesn’t believe it will have a bearing on the outcome.
“I’ve never wavered from it to be honest that she would run it out,” Morton said.
“It’s been my thought all along, but we still have to get there and prove it on Saturday.
“I’m confident she’ll run it out nice and strong.”
Super Smink is $7 with Tabtouch, behind Attrition and Storyville who share top billing at $4.60 with betting sites in Australia.
Democracy Manifest is $7 and Light Infantry Man $8.50.
