Brave Smash is one of three runners for master trainer Darren Weir in Saturday’s 2018 Futurity Stakes field, but the classy Japanese import is so far the only horse that punters have come for in betting for the Group 1.
Brave Smash immediately stamped himself as a horse to follow upon debuting for Weir during the recent Spring Carnival when he flew home to finish a close second behind Vega Magic in the Listed Regal Roller Stakes (1200m) first-up on August 19th.
Progressing to a smart win in the Listed Chandler Macleod Stakes (1200m), the son of Tosen Phantom was pipped on the line by Oakleigh Plate entrant Bons Away in the Listed Testa Rossa Stakes (1200m), but ended his campaign a smart third in The Everest (1200m).
Having failed to fire when fifth in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) first-up this time, Brave Smash was held up in the straight in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) a fortnight ago, but mustered a huge turn of foot late to swoop home for a close third.
Brave Smash is rock-hard fit ahead of his run in the Futurity Stakes and has firmed into $3.50 favouritism after opening at $3.90 odds on Wednesday morning.
Weir’s other two runners Tosen Stardom ($5.50) and Humidor ($7) are both slight drifters but on class alone, can win the Futurity Stakes.
Tosen Stardom is another Japanese import who led the way for the Weir stable in spring; producing a number of outstanding performances and results, highlighted by wins in both the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) and Group 1 Emirates Stakes (2000m).
The Deep Impact entire received the lion’s share of attention from punters in the lead-up to his first-up run in the CF Orr Stakes a fortnight ago, but suffered heat stress and the thumps and finished eleventh.
Tosen Stardom has reportedly returned to full health in the lead-up to the Futurity Stakes and will be partnered by Ben Allen from barrier 5.
Humidor came within strides of upsetting Winx in last year’s Cox Plate and he will make his long-awaited return to the track in the Futurity Stakes.
The Teofilo gelding was probably the standout performer for Weir last autumn and won the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) most notably before ending his campaign second behind Jameka in the Group 1 The BMW (2400m).
While he tends to improve with an increase in trip, Humidor is capable of a sharp performance early in his racing preparations and won the Group 1 Makybe Dive Stakes (1600m) third-up in spring.
Damian Lane has plenty of options in transit from gate 2, but Humidor may find a few of his rivals in the Futurity Stakes slightly too sharp to win first-up.
Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss has continued to herald attention in our Futurity Stakes betting market and has firmed onto the second line at $5, having opened at $6.
The Not A Single Doubt colt turned plenty of heads when he saluted in the Guineas at triple-figure odds, but he was only fair to the line when seventh in the CF Orr Stakes first-up and will need to improve to go close here.