With three second placings in a row for Brave Smash (Jpn) three year-old Mickey’s Medal the tide turned at last for the Annabel Neasham trained gelding at Rosehill on Saturday when he dug deep to post a tenacious and well deserved victory.
Beaten last start at Warwick Farm by Headley Grange, Mickey’s Medal was able to reverse the result in the Benchmark 72 event over 1500m finding plenty under pressure to score by a long neck for apprentice jockey Zac Wadick.
“It was a really well deserved win as he’s been running seconds and not for lack of trying, he just keeps bumping into one better,” said Annabel Neasham.
“It was nice to see him reverse the form with the winner from last week’s race and it was a peach of a ride from Zac.”
A $225,000 Magic Millions purchase from Edinburgh Park for Annabel Neasham/Brian McGuire, he was a successful pinhook having been bought as a weanling for $70,000 from the Valiant Stud draft at Magic Millions National.
Mickey’s Medal only started racing in August last year and has the overall record of three wins and seven placings from 14 starts with prizemoney topping $195,000, so it’s been a busy and productive season that has no doubt brought plenty of thrills and fun for his big group of owners.
He is the first winner for Olympic Medal (USA), an unraced half-sister to US Group III winner Heavenly Curlin, whose family is all Australia as she is from Taste of Heaven, a daughter of blue hen Shantha’s Choice.
Mickey’s Medal is one of 30 Australian winners this season for Brave Smash that are headed by Group winners Kimochi, Brave Mead and stakes-winner Brave Spirit.
Brave Smash stands at Yarraman Park this spring at a fee of $33,000.
