Yarraman Park’s Brave Smash (Jpn) has been on a winning roll since the start of this month and racked up his fifth winner for October when talented colt Smashing Lad scored an impressive maiden win at Warrnambool on Thursday.
The dashing grey colt was unplaced on debut back in April, but returned with a close second last month and punters were all on board when he lined up for the 1100m maiden today.
Sent out a short priced favourite with John Allen to ride, Smashing Lad was a class above cruising home to win by nearly three lengths in the Australian Bloodstock colours carried by his sire.
The colt is trained by the Maddie Raymond and Patrick Bell partnership, who bought the colt with Australian Bloodstock for $46,000 at the Magic Millions Book 2 Sale from the draft of Lyndhurst Stud.
Raymond is very familiar with his sire Brave Smash, having campaigned the horse for Kris Lees in Dubai before embarking on her training career and she is a fan of his progeny.
“It probably worked in his favour, stepping away a little bit slow as he just got into such a lovely spot in the race,” said Maddie Raymond.
“He relaxed beautifully. He used to get a little bit fired up and a bit keen, but he travelled perfectly today. He’s obviously still a bit green and had a bit of a look around when he got to the front, but it was a good strong win.
“He's still a colt, so he holds his condition well and obviously keeping him sprinting, we don't have to put too much into him. We just kept him ticking over to this race.
“It's great to have the support of all the owners and to get a winner for Australian Bloodstock.
“Brave Smash was good tough horse with a great temperament, very similar to this fellow. He's got a really good head on him and does everything you ask, a good tough, hardy horse.
“He shows the right attributes and is definitely heading in the right direction.”
Smashing Lad is the third winner from four foals to race from Lady Enid, a winning half-sister by Drumbeats to the dam of Group III winning sprinter Fabergino from the family of Group I winner Camino Rose.
Brave Smash started his stud career for Aquis and then switched to Yarraman Park in 2023 with his first Hunter Valley bred yearlings to sell in 2026.
His first three crops have produced 63 winners from 105 runners and they include Group I winner Kimochi, plus three more stakes-winners and he stands at a fee of $27,500 this spring.
