Steve Smith a winner at Randwick

He may have settled for a draw in the fourth Test, but as Australian captain Steve Smith walked off the MCG, a horse he part-owns has made a sure thing of winning at Randwick.

The Chris Waller-trained Hogmanay started a $14 chance in Saturday’s 1800m-handicap but took the lead early and kept going to record a three-quarter length win over Vaucluse Bay ($8).

Smith is part of a syndicate which includes well-known racing personality Ken Callander and members of his family.

Surprisingly he was the first Randwick winner from the horses Callander has owned over the years.

Hogmanay’s victory coincided with Smith and his English counterpart Joe Root agreeing there was no chance of a result in the fourth Test with the Ashes already in Australia’s hands.

Smith ended the day 102 not out while Hogmanay took his tally to five wins and 10 placings from 27 starts.

“He is obviously a good, tough horse,” Waller’s racing manager Charlie Duckworth said.

“It was also a great ride by Blake Shinn.”

Duckworth, an Englishman, said he was more than happy the stable could get a win for the connections including Smith but perhaps not so happy with the England team’s results this summer.