Classy customer Aim Smart made the best possible start from his new base at Lauren Brennan's Cambridge operation when he gave his rating 75 rivals a beating after leading most of the way over 1400m at Ruakaka.
Owned and raced by global powerhouse, The China Horse Club, the Smart Missile gelding had commenced his career from the stable of Tony Pike where he won first up as a two-year-old. An injury suffered in Listed company at his second start saw him put aside for six months before opening his three-year-old campaign with a second placed finish behind Prom Queen in the Gr.3 Northland Breeders Stakes (1200m) in September last year.
Further niggles surfaced after an unplaced run in the Gr.2 Hawke's Bay Guineas (1400m) which saw him sent to the spelling paddock again before he was transferred to the care of Brennan's boutique set-up.
"He has come back well after doing a lot of work with Gina Schick during his break," said Brennan. "She had him out on the hills and at the beach which has helped him out a lot. He's still not an easy horse as he does have his issues, but he is as good as gold now and it was a great thrill to see him go so well first up on Saturday."
A trial win over 1050m at Taupo last month had Brennan hopeful of a good performance on the weekend although she was the first to admit she hadn't expected to see her charge in front for most of the 1400m journey.
