News

Master of the TJ Smith Stakes

14th Apr 2012

Well-bred entire Master of Design lived up to his potential with a last gasp win of the $1million Group One ATC TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on Saturday afternoon.

Globe-trotting jockey Craig Williams greatly enhanced the stud value of MASTER OF DESIGN ($2,100,000 2007 Easter, 6h Redoute’s Choice-Urge To Merge) with a masterful fide to finish over the top of Rain Affair and Hallowell Belle in the Sydney Carnival’s feature sprint.

Bred by Arrowleave Joint Venture the Group One winner attracted plenty of attention at the 2007 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, where he was sold from the draft of Arrowfield Stud for $2.1million, and his stunning turn-of-foot was hard to miss today as he came from last to claim victory.

By Redoute’s Choice from Urge To Merge, Master Of Design is a half-brother to South African Group One winner Suntagonal and close relation to 2009/10 Australian Horse of the Year Typhoon Tracy.

The TJ Smith Stakes is named after legendary trainer Tommy Smith who was honoured at the Australian Hall Of Fame Awards last night, and has been won in the past by world class Inglis Sale graduates Black Caviar and Takeover Target.

Master Of Design originally raced for Darley Australia, before being sold to his current owners and transferred to David Payne, for whom he has now recorded three wins and two placings from eight starts since July last year.

“We have been trying to win this group 1 with him and he is so well bred and he knocked off the big guns today which is good,” Payne said after the win.

The strapping galloper has now had 17 starts for seven wins and five placings, with $933,209 in prizemoney.

As a Group One winning colt his career at stud is assured, a great result for his current owners Three Blondes (L G Murrell), Phelan Rod (J B Phelan), Stumer Racing (J D Stumer), P Scarpino, T Baldassarro, M Pedley, M T Harvey, T Legudi, R Salter and M Virgo.

Fat Al heading for Queensland

Fellow Easter graduate Fat Al remains on track for a trip north to the Queensland Derby following victory in the Group Three ATC Carbine Club Stakes at Randwick.

The Gai Waterhouse trained galloper took home a $50,000 Inglis Race Series Bonus at his last start win in the Albury Guineas, and the son of Al Maher stepped up again today taking out the 1600m event in good style, his first attempt at black type level.

“He toyed with them. First, second and Nash pressed the go-fast button and away he went. I really liked the way he cruised to the lead and raced away effortlessly,” Waterhouse commented.

Bred and sold by Emirates Park FAT AL ($27,000 2010 Easter, 3g Al Maher-Fatoon) is the third foal of Group Two ATC Reisling Slipper Trial winner Fatoon, which hails from the family of Emirates Park resident stallion Mutawaajid and champion sprinter Shaftesbury Avenue.

The $27,000 Easter bargain purchase has now earned $216,150 from four wins and one placing from just six starts for his lucky owners Ms K Waterhouse, Mrs L M Bruhn, A W Bruhn, Mrs L J Bruhn, S W Bruhn, P A Mills, Mrs D M Mills, The Agents Racing Synd, Recurpen Synd and Blue Demon Synd.