Well-respected Warwick Farm-based trainer Matthew Smith has worked his magic on the imported Deep Impact entire Fierce Impact (JPN) who looked to have lost all form in England and is now a Group 1 winner after a brilliant performance in Saturday's Toorak Handicap (1600m) at Caulfield.
Coming from well back in the field under Craig Williams Fierce Impact defeated the Chris Waller-trained Night's Watch (Redwood) by one and three-quarter length with Age Of Chivalry (He's Remarkable) three-quarters of a length away third. (images Grant Courtney)
Fierce Impact was consigned to the 2017 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale where he was purchased by Matthew Smith for 120,000 guineas.
His first win at the elite level advances his record to 4 wins, 5 seconds and 3 thirds from 20 starts with earnings of $616,730.
Smith said he hopes to gain a start for Fierce Impact in the $5 million Cox Plate at The Valley on October 26.
"It's always good to come back to Melbourne and pinch a good race," Smith said.
"It has been a while and this horse has been promising for a long time.
"It is so pleasing to get the job done for all of the owners.
"I've always had a big opinion of the horse. I had a bit of confidence when Craig took the ride three weeks out.
"When you draw (barrier) 16 you need a bit of luck, but we got a good run today.
"It's been a while between our Group 1 wins.
"He's definitely a good stallion prospect.
"He's got a great pedigree and hopefully we find a home somewhere for him."
The pedigree received a huge update in May this year when Fierce Impact's year younger brother Keiai Nautique won the Group 1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo.
Their dam Keiai Gerbera won a pair of Group III races in Japan. The daughter of Kentucky Derby hero Smarty Jones was imported in utero when her dam Anna Sterz (Danzig) was purchased by Japanese interests for US$300,000 at the 2005 Keeneland November Sale.
