Saturday's $500,000 Group 1 Italktravel Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield proved a triumph for Australian Bloodstock with their Japanese-bred pair Brave Smash (JPN) and Tosen Stardom (JPN) fighting out the finish.
Champion trainer Darren Weir won the Futurity last year with Black Heart Bart and this must have been an easy watch as Brave Smash (JPN), under an inspired ride by Craig Williams, defeated Tosen Stardom (JPN) by three-quarters of a length with Showtime a half-neck away in third. (photos Grant Courtney ).
Weir's third runner Humidor finished strongly into fourth place.
It was first Group 1 win for the heavily backed Brave Smash (JPN), which Weir said was of vital importance to a prospective stallion career.
"They're very well-bred horses and well-performed horses when you get them so you need to get the results on the board," Weir said.
"Both horses have now done it so I guess it's a huge thrill and a huge relief but a huge thrill as well.
"He put the writing on the board last start and he carried that form here today.
"He got a lovely ride, got a bit of cover and just needed to get a bit of luck.
"It was a huge relief to win two Group 1's last spring Tosen Stardom and to get a Group 1 with Brave Smash is a great result for everyone."
Weir said all three Brave Smash, Tosen Stardom and Humidor would follow similar paths, the Blamey Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on March 17 before heading to Sydney for the Doncaster Mile at Randwick on April 7.
It was a third Futurity for Craig Williams who won back to back on Niconero (2008-09).
"He gave me a beautiful ride, I think they have great options with him, Williams said."
"Darren was really confident with him. (Australian Bloodstock) have been great supporters. We thought we would have a big spring with Admire Deus."
"He was very dominant today. He won cheekily, he won cute and he really gave me a great feel."
Brave Smash becomes the first Group 1 winner for his sire Tosen Phantom(JPN) a stakes-winning son of the Sunday Silence stallion Neo Universe.
The dam of Brave Smash, Token Smash (Tokai Teio), is a winning half-sister to multiple stakes winner Tosen Jo O (Timber Country).
