First Stakes-Winner for Smart Missile

Talented filly Sassy 'N' Smart gave her army of supporters a nervous time at the start at Riccarton in New Zealand, but once into stride it was all plain sailing for the hot favourite who became the first stakes-winner for her exciting young sire Smart Missile.

Sassy 'n' Smart - Race Images

The Te Akau two-year-old was untroubled to win the Listed Barneswood Farm Welcome Stakes and remain unbeaten after two appearances. Sassy 'N' Smart had overcome a tardy start when successful first time out on the track last month and she was again unsettled in the barriers. She was backed out after twice rearing and was loaded without the barrier blanket before she got underway. "She's sharp and hopefully her barrier manners will keep on improving, she's a lovely filly,” said Jamie Richards, who prepares her with Stephen Autridge. Sassy 'N' Smart cruised up three wide to challenge into the straight and she lengthened stride to easily account for What Choux Want and Dontpokethetiger. "She's all class and she's only going to get better as a three-year-old after these two runs, she's definitely got the goods,” rider Matt Cameron said. "She's quite green and still has got a lot to learn.”

A $150,000 Sydney Easter Yearling Sale purchase by David Ellis from the draft of Arrowfield Stud, Sassy 'n' Smart was the first winner for her sire when scoring on debut last month and is now his first stakes-winner. Sassy 'n' Smart was bred by Arrowfield in partnership with the Cloros family and is the first winner for well-bred Empire Maker import Panorama Ridge (USA), a placed daughter of dual French Group I winner Nebraska Tornado. Panorama Ridge has a yearling colt by Redoute's Choice and a colt foal by Snitzel. Runner-up What Choux Want credited another first season sire in Jimmy Choux with his maiden black type performer.

A Group II winning son of champion sire Fastnet Rock, Smart Missile stands at Arrowfield Stud at a fee of $22,000.