Unbeaten Record on the Line

The Informant reports:

After a couple of false starts Sassy 'N' Smart is ready to resume and will try to extend her unbeaten sequence to three in tomorrow's Gr. 2 J Swap Contractors Matamata Breeders' Stakes.

The winner of both of her two starts in spring including the Listed Welcome Stakes at Riccarton, Sassy 'N' Smart was meant to kick off a new campaign with a trial at Te Aroha in January before that meeting was abandoned. She returned to the races at the Matamata meeting on January 30, but she was late-scratched when she reared and fell over backwards behind the starting gates.

However, co-trainer Stephen Autridge reported to The Informant this week that the Smart Missile filly is back on track and ready to put her best foot forward in tomorrow's $100,000 feature, the country's biggest race for two-year-old fillies.

“We were happy enough leading into that Matamata race, but unfortunately we missed it after that mishap,” Autridge said. “But she's trialled since then and it was a very good trial. We're not too worried about her now.

“She had a gallop on the course proper yesterday (Tuesday) morning with our colt Heroic Valour, who runs in the Slipper this weekend. They both went very well and we're really happy with their condition leading into the race.”

Sassy 'N' Smart will be ridden again by Matt Cameron. She has drawn the outside gate in a field of 10, but her connections remain confident of a strong showing tomorrow.

Sassy 'N' Smart: 2 races, 2 trials - 4 wins

“We think she'll run a good race, and then as long as it looks like we're going the right way we'll carry on towards the Group One races at Ellerslie and Awapuni,” Autridge said.

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