Dan Morton has backed his quality mare Super Smink to put her best foot forward and rebound off a fair run in Saturday’s The Gold Rush (1400m) at Ascot.
Super Smink got a long way back from a positive draw last Saturday, but was never in the Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) when ninth to Light Infantry Man.
Following a slashing third in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at her previous start, ambitions were high, but she couldn’t live up to expectations.
A Group 1 went begging, but a rich $1.5 million prize purse remains and Dan Morton can see no reason why she can’t take home the spoils and score a redemptive win.
Helping her cause in the Gold Rush is barrier five, a favourable spot for jockey Chris Parnham with several of the fancies, including Western Empire drawn wide.
Morton said it didn’t go according to script for Super Smink seven days ago in the Northerly Stakes, but he expects her to pull out an improved showing.
“Circumstances meant we didn’t end up in the spot we needed to be in the run (Northerly),” Morton said.
“Things didn’t pan out for her after that, but I guess the plus out of that is she didn’t get knocked around and we get another go.
“I don’t second guess Chris (Parnham) too many times, he knows the mare well and went in with a plan the other day, but it didn’t go to fruition.
“I’m sure he will want to be around midfield-ish and if that’s where she is and she gets an out she’ll go good.”
The Morton and Parnham combination will look to go one better after Kissonallforcheeks was denied victory by interstate raider, The Astrologist in the first edition of the Gold Rush (2023).
Super Smink is in a battle with Western Empire for Tabtouch favouritism.
Western Empire, from the stables of leading pair, Grant and Alana Williams, has been dealt two blows this week, losing jockey, William Pike to injury and copping barrier 15.
Victorian jockey, Billy Egan replaces Pike, who steered home The Astrologist.
Super Smink and Western Empire are current joint $4.80 favourites.
