TIME FOR A SMASHING NEW GOSFORD TRACK RECORD

HE smashed ‘em – and how!

Forget the Listed Takeover Target Stakes or the Benchmark 78 Handicap at Gosford’s metropolitan stand-alone meeting yesterday.

Kembla Grange four-year-old Smashing Time put the winners of those two races in the shade when he blistered over the 1200m of the Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) in new track record time.

Ridden by Adam Hyeronimus, the Australian Bloodstock-raced Smashing Time ($6.50) clocked 1:08.80 in an all-provincial finish, eclipsing former Newcastle sprinter Tactical Advantage’s 1:08.86 set seven years ago.

Stopping the clock at 1:08.80 also bettered King Of Rouseau’s 1:08.93 in the Takeover Target, and Hillier’s 1:09.70 in the Benchmark 78.

Fellow Kembla Grange trainer Joe Ible was pleased with his smart filly Spice Baby’s second as a $4.20 favorite, especially given the time, and being only her second run this campaign.

Smashing Time’s co-trainer Luke Price had no doubt a gear change was instrumental in the gelding’s sizzling performance.

“Blinkers did the trick for sure,” he said today.

“Smashing Time has always had the ability, but has been frustrating at times.

“That was a brilliant performance yesterday, and hopefully he can go on with it now.”

Smashing Time, a gelded son of Brave Smash, was placed on debut at the Kensington track over 1100m as a two-year-old in March 2024, and then stepped up to 1400m next start to break through at home in a Super Maiden.

Connections thought enough of him to head to Brisbane for Eagle Farm features at the winter carnival that year, where he finished fifth to Broadsiding in the Group 2 Sires (1400m), and then was down the track in the same horse’s Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m).

Smashing Time returned as an early three-year-old in the spring of 2024 and won a Provincial Class 1 Handicap (1200m) at home as a $1.26 hotpot.

He did not win again until November last year when successful in a 1200m Benchmark 64 Handicap, again at Kembla Grange.

Team Price’s former apprentice and now senior jockey Brock Ryan rode Smashing Time then, and with Hyeronimus up, yesterday was the first time the gelding had scored away from home.

Punters might cop an early “tip” and jot down to look for Team Price’s representative when Gosford’s annual meeting rolls around once more next year, especially if Hyeronimus has the mount.

The father and son combination will be looking for a hat-trick, having also won the same race last year with Monte Kate, when Hyeronimus also was in the saddle.

Whilst it was all smiles after Smashing Time’s track record victory, Team Price’s Group 1 placegetter Our Gold Hope let down the stable in the $300,000 Listed Gosford Gold Cup (2100m).

A $13 chance, she was never likely and finished 10^th to Asterix ($11), beaten just over five lengths.

Now a five-year-old, Our Gold Hope has been entered for the National Broodmare Sale at the Gold Coast later this month.

“We’ll talk with the owners in the next day or so, and decide whether she races again prior to the sale,” Luke Price said.

. Gosford’ oldest trainer Neil Ward didn’t win the $200,000 Thunder Thousand (1000m) at home yesterday, but was thrilled with his $31 shot Stratafy’s gutsy second to favorite Compensation ($1.95).

“I’ll look for the easiest race I can find for her next,” he said afterwards.

Whilst Stratafy was at long odds, she was half that price with TAB supporters.

“She’s a popular horse,” Ward said.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MAY 10,2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS