Woken spearheads a strong team of Yarradale Stud graduates being prepared by Lindsey Smith.
The speedy son of Yarradale sire Heritage won the Westspeed Hcp (1400m) like a good thing at Belmont on Wednesday. He led for 3kg claimer Ellie Cockram and then lengthened to score by a shade under three lengths.
Woken (3g Heritage – Feint by Warring Nations) is raced by Yarradale owner Ron Sayers in a partnership that also includes Elio and Jacqui Galante. “We took the blinkers off after he worked in them earlier this week,” Smith said. “He galloped with Ringmeister and Stephen Miller said he went too hard.
“He clicks with Ellie and I thought he should have been about second favourite instead of $10,” Smith reasoned. “I hope all the owners got on.”
Smith has trio of Yarradale-bred fillies on the books at his Casuarina stables. He bought fillies by Discorsi, Musket and Fath at the Perth Magic Millions in February and Yarradale Sale in May.
One of the west’s leading trainers, Smith has prepared Flemington G1 winners Plastered (2004 Victoria Derby) and Old Comrade (2002 Australian Cup). Add home-town hits at Ascot and he’s in double figures at the elite level.
Red Ransom filly Fuddle Dee Duddle gave Smith, Geisel Park owner Eddie Rigg and Yarradale a Group 3 in the Champion Fillies Stakes at Ascot last year.
Woken’s sire Heritage is the only son of Flying Spur based in Western Australia. His dam is a sister to Northerly and Yarradale stands him for a $4,400 (inc gst) service fee.
Yarradale offers a wide-range of discounts to broodmare owners this year. For further information call the stud office on (08) 9574 6490.
$17,600 WAR CHANT (USA)
$9,900 FROST GIANT (USA)
$8,800 SCANDAL KEEPER (USA)
$8,800 MUSKET
$5,500 GINGERBREAD MAN
$5,500 DISCORSI
$4,400 HERITAGE
POA ZENTSOV STREET (USA)
All fees (inc gst)
LINDSEY SMITH