Property kicks off The Championships with Widden Stakes romp
THE Melbournians took the opening race one day one of The Championships when Property won the Widden 150th Anniversary Stakes at Randwick.
The Robert Smerdon-trained gelding demonstrated the strength of the Blue Diamond form having finished fifth behind Catchy in February’s feature as it easily handled the local contingent.
Property won two Blue Diamond Preludes this campaign which included a blistering win over Pariah in the Preview and it wasn’t long before the Randwick crowd got a glimpse of its turn-of-foot.
Jockey Hugh Bowman positioned the two-year-old just in behind the speed from the inside draw and when the gap opened in the straight it pounced on the lead and quickly put multiple lengths on the field.
“He had excellent form, two wins and beaten in the Blue Diamond, which is outstanding. He ran an incredible race in the Blue Diamond,” Bowman said.
“He handled the conditions well which was a bit of a question mark but he’s a beautiful colt and I think we’ll see more of him in the spring time.”
Bowman was impressed with its turn-of-foot, but believes it will be better suited to sticking with the sprinting distances.
“He sprinted very well,” Bowman said. I couldn’t see him going beyond a mile, whether he is even a miler I’m not sure, but he’s in the right camp.
“They will work him out.”
Property was initially sold to Hong Kong interests, but after some negative X-Rays, the interest suddenly died off and Smerdon was left with no option but to race the son of Starcraft.
“He was sold to Hong Kong for I don’t know what the figure was but it was pretty substantial. He had some X-Ray issues and they are very, very strict on what goes there so there was no option other than send him to the races,” Smerdon said.
The lengthy preparation didn’t seem to phase the $4.90 elect at Sportsbet.com.au which thrived in the conditions at Randwick.
“He has had a long testing preparation,” Smerdon said. “He had four jumpouts before he went to the races then he went through a Blue Diamond prep, then he had a breather at the stables.
“He has a three year old’s build and mentality about him so we would soldier on and see what else we can do and he’s ended up here.
“It was a big ask as a two year old to do what he has done, so it is a testament to the horse’s constitution, naturally his ability but his constitution, to handle it.”
Smerdon hinted that it might head for a much-deserved break, but he will talk with the owners first.
“I’ll talk to the owners but he’ll call the shots,” he added.
Hugh Bowman made comment on the track at Randwick. He stated that it was in the heavy range, but it appears even across the straight.
“It’s heavy ground. I galloped on it this morning and thought that was about the range,” Bowman said.
“It’s going to be fair ground, everyone is going to get their chance, and given the weeks of rain we should be pleased with what we have got.”