Smashing leads her rivals a merry dance at Matamata

An all-the-way victory by talented sprinter Smashing (Pins) capped a top day on home soil for the Matamata training partnership of Stephen Autridge and Jamie Richards on Saturday.

A beaten favourite at her last start at Trentham in early January, Smashing made amends for punters in emphatic fashion when she dictated terms throughout to score comfortably in a smart 1.09.12 for the 1200 metre journey of the Westbury Waikato Handicap.

The speedy mare made it career win number 6 just one race after Autridge and Richards had taken out the day’s feature event for Te Akau Racing, the J Swap Contractors Ltd. sponsored Gr. 2 Matamata Breeders’ Stakes (1200m), with Gold Fever.

Autridge was delighted with their team’s performance on the day and full of praise for Smashing’s effort when questioned after the race.

“We’ve had a good day so we’re really pleased with how things have unfolded as the team we had in were all primed to win,” he said.

“She drew well so she was always going to be there. In front on her home track meant she was going to be hard to get past.”

Autridge was also quick to acknowledge the ride by Cameron Lammas as a contributing factor to the victory.

“Cameron rides her most of the time and he gets on well with her,” he noted.

“It was a red hot field but she’s not far off the best so with everything in her favour they were going to know she was there.”

Smashing carried the familiar colours of Trelawney Stud’s Brent and Cherry Taylor who race the mare along with Brent’s mother Faith, Maureen Davies and Jacqui Symes. Smashing is the daughter of Trelawney’s multiple Group Two winner Ruud Van Slaats who was twice placed at Group One level behind former two-time New Zealand Horse of the year, Mufhasa. – NZ Racing Desk