She Smashes It

Smashing (3 f Pins - Ruud Van Slaats, by Van Nistelrooy) produced a significant second up win when establishing a new track record for 1200 metres (1:09.33) on Saturday October 18 at Rotorua.

Initially appearing hard done by when drawing the outside in the small but select field of eight three-year-olds, her job was made easier with the scratching of two rivals - and a further late scratching at the start - to see the line up reduced to five.

Working forward to sit second at the 900 metres, Smashing issued a challenge at the 250 metres and found another gear 100m out to score by half a length over pacemaker Champagne Rein (Captain Rio).

“She can get a bit keen, so it was a lovely ride from Danielle (Johnson) to get up outside the leader and see her relax a bit,” said Te Akau racing manager Jamie Richards. “When she pulled the stick through she really kicked on, so very encouraging.

“She's out of a very good mare and it was good to see her back winning. She went really well fresh up at Taranaki,” said Richards.
Racing in the same Trelawney colours worn by her dam, Ruud Van Slaats, Smashing is shared in ownership by Brent & Cherry Taylor, Faye Taylor, Maureen Davies, Anne Symes and Kath Symes.

Impressive in a career of five wins for $340,000 in earnings, Ruud Van Slaats included victories in the Auckland Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (Gr. 2, 1400m) and the Cal Isuzu Stakes (Gr. 2, 1600m) and exuded the tough qualities also exhibited by her first foal daughter on this occasion.

Jockey Danielle Johnson said: “I gave her a bit of a dig to get outside the leader. I thought Champagne Rein would go [forward] and probably be the hardest to beat, but she's won well in the end”.

“We had planned to lead, but the other horse was too fast for her and she actually ended up getting a perfect sit. She feels to me like a progressive type of filly,” said Johnson.

Picture credit - www.raceimages.co.nz