Class has risen to the top in the final black-type race of the season with Smokin’ Joey scoring an emphatic fresh victory at Caulfield.
As the winner of the Goodwood in Adelaide last year, Smokin’ Joey was the only Group One winner lining up in Saturday’s Group Three Bletchingly Stakes (1200m).
Smokin’ Joey, Bletchingly Stakes
Following a successful Queensland winter campaign, Smokin’ Joey was given a three week break before returning to Wez Hunter’s Mornington stable.
Nominations for the Bletchingly were extended until Tuesday and Hunter reasoned the race was a suitable kick-off point for the gelding who he originally planned to trial at Mornington this Wednesday.
Ridden by Chris Parnham, Smokin’ Joey ($6.50) scored by two lengths over Platinum Rocker ($9) with Petrology ($7) another 1-1/4 lengths third.
Hunter admitted he was surprised by how easily Smokin’ Joey accounted for his opposition which included dual Group One runner-up Lord Of The Sky ($4 fav) who pulled up lame in the off-foreleg after finishing last.
“In the run he was never going to lose,” Hunter said.
“I thought he’d run well but I was a bit hesitant that he’d be vulnerable late.”
Hunter has ambitious spring plans for Smokin’ Joey who will be nominated for the Cox Plate.
The horse’s part owner Joe Lanteri is keen to test him at 2000m and Hunter doesn’t see any reason the gelding couldn’t handle the trip as he’s a brother to Our Smoking Joe who won a Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2500m.
The trainer says the PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 15 could be a spring-defining race for the rising eight-year-old, with the Epsom Handicap in Sydney also a possibility.
Hunter said the secret to Smokin’ Joey was mixing his training and the gelding was popped over a dozen hurdles on Friday morning to keep him sharp.
“He’s been doing it for two years since we’ve had him,” Hunter said.
“He’s a very good jumper and will have a good career when he’s finished, but he’s not done with yet.”
Parnham was rapt to repay Hunter’s faith in him with the Bletchingly Stakes win.
He also rode Smokin’ Joey to his Carlyon Cup victory in February, the jockey’s first feature race win following his relocation from Perth.
Craig Newitt, who rode Lord Of The Sky, said the entire was a beaten horse at the 800m mark.
“He went 400 metres and then Rich Jack had him off the bridle,” Newitt said.
