Superhard stays unbeaten at Sandown

Brad Waters - Wednesday September 6

Superhard does what he wants at the start of his races but the three-year-old produced an irresistible finish to Wednesday's Sheamus Mills Bloodstock Handicap (1000m) at Sandown.

Advertisement
Robert Smerdon has a smart colt on his hands in the shape of Superhard. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Trainer Robert Smerdon said Superhard fired up and over-raced if pushed out of the gates, which made life difficult in his debut win at Pakenham but the colt had no such trouble on Wednesday.

"He had just got into this habit of falling out of the barriers," Smerdon said. "We were mindful that he was always a bit keen going so we were a bit soft on him in the barriers.

"He flew the start today. Maybe drawing wide was a plus because he wasn't in there long and then he got into that spot without being rubbed along.

"His manners were so much better today and I'm hoping that's the way it's going to be for him going forward."

A better getaway on Wednesday left jockey Ryan Maloney able to park Superhard in third spot on the back of favourite Written Choice until the 300m.

Written Choice claimed the leader Wait For No One at the 150m but was unable to withstand the winner's finish in the last 100m.

Smerdon said Superhard as primarily a sprinter but he would assess the colt's progress on a run-by-run basis.

"He's a horse of obvious talent," Smerdon said.

"I'm pleased that he could win a race of quite a bit of depth. In the months to come, we'll look back and it will be quite a good form reference."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!
Corumbene Stud Homebred Tashi Wins G1 Tatts Tiara
From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m).
Super Seth 3YO Salutes for Baker
A tenacious front-running performance in Saturday’s A$160,000 Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill added a first city victory to Puntin’s burgeoning record.
Tattersall’s Mile For The Inflictor - Under The Louvre’s Second SW
Third at Listed level before winning at Doomben, the Craig Cousins-trained The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) then tackled the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and while not in the same league as winner War Wachine (Harry Angel), the 4yo gelding showed his class on Saturday to win the Listed BRC Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.