The line was possibly finer than desired but Brave Smash did enough to keep his Everest aspirations on track at Moonee Valley on Saturday.
Brave Smash made a big impression when a close second to Group I winner Vega Magic at his Australian debut last month to prompt talk of the import getting a berth in The Everest at Randwick on October 14.
Leading trainer Darren Weir tried to keep Brave Smash on the fresh side to leave the former Japanese galloper with improvement leading into the $10 million Everest, which may have prevented the entire from drawing away from his rivals in the Bendigo Bank Stakes (1200m).
Brave Smash raced closer to the speed for jockey Damian Lane before the son of Tosen Phantom did enough to beat stablemate El Divino by a half-length with Revolving Door a long neck further back in third.
Weir said he thought the $1.60 favourite would win by more than the half-length margin but there was plenty of improvement left in Brave Smash.
"I would have liked to see him run through the line and run away from them a bit better but he won so you don't mind that I guess," Weir said.
"We still know there is quite a lot to come and he's very well in himself and we're a fair way from getting to the bottom of him.
"We might just have to up the ante a bit if we're going to bigger and better things."
Syndicators Australian Bloodstock will have discussions with Everest slot holders in the coming week while Weir gets to work getting the five-year-old fitter for better races than Saturday's $120,00 contest.
"We'll have to sit down and have a bit of a think about it if he gets a slot," Weir said. "We'll see how he is tomorrow and see what happens during the week I guess.
"We sort of had him well enough today that he would take natural improvement and now really might screw him down if he happens to get a slot."
Brave Smash clings on to claim the Strathmore Community Bendigo Bank Stakes. Santa Ana Lane, wowee! 😲 pic.twitter.com/pGHVAfYw1q
— Racing.com (@Racing) September 9, 2017
