LEADING Kembla Grange trainers Rob and Luke Price had never trained a horse for Australian Bloodstock until they bought a yearling bred by the leading Hunter syndicators.
That was at the Magic Millions sale at the Gold Coast last year when they paid $180,000 for a youngster by AB’S dual Group 1 winner and 2017 The Everest placegetter Brave Smash from the Street Cry mare Trick.
Even then, the Price boys probably didn’t even expect their purchase would race in the Australian Bloodstock colours.
He does, and at Kembla Grange on Saturday broke through for his first win in the $60,000 2YO Super Maiden Handicap (1400m).
With Robbie Downey aboard, Smashing Time ($3.80) at only his second start defeated $2.25 favorite Media World and Interjection ($3.70).
He had finished third on debut at $61 on the Kensington track over 1100m on March 27.
Australian Bloodstock principal Jamie Lovett has explained how they came to be involved in Smashing Time’s ownership after breeding and selling him.
“Smashing Time had chondritis (an inflammatory condition affecting the cartilages in the larynx) and couldn’t be scoped,” Lovett said.
“We knew it would clear up, and the Prices were happy to buy him.
“I ran into Rob at the Inglis Classic sale in Sydney the following month, and found out they hadn’t fully sold the horse.
“As the Prices were good enough to buy Smashing Time and also because we have a really good opinion of Brave Smash as a stallion, we bought back into him and got some friends and clients involved.
“Rob and Luke do a terrific job with their horses, and it’s great to be associated with them.”
Whilst immediate plans for Smashing Time are unclear, there is a chance he could go to Queensland for the winter carnival.
“He ran really well on debut in Sydney, finishing off strongly after racing wide,” Lovett said.
“The runner-up (Imperial Force) came out and bolted in at Canterbury last Wednesday, and the colt’s trainer Chris Waller is apparently looking at a Queensland campaign with him.”
Smashing Time was Rob and Luke Price’s 32nd winner of the season; 21 of which have been at the provincials.
Story John Curtis, April 21, 2024 - Pics Bradley Photos