Off the Press (outside) arrives just in time to score a metropolitan win. PHOTO: Bradley Photographers
Canberra trainer Todd Smart’s ambitious push for a permanent Sydney metropolitan presence gained serious momentum with the rejuvenated gelding Off The Press claiming a thrilling nose victory in the $60,000 Cogburn Worlds Fastest Horse @ Widden Handicap (BM64) over 1250m.
In a gripping finish, the son of Press Statement displayed unbreakable courage to reel in the gallant frontrunner Kyeema (GB) in the very last stride, scoring by the barest margin (0.04L). Me Me ran third, a further half-length away.
The win – Off The Press’s first at a major Sydney track – highlighted the remarkable bargain the gelding represents for his connections.
Purchased for a modest $15,000, he has now amassed over $134,000 in earnings from just 14 starts, delivering an extraordinary return on investment for owners Group One Thoroughbreds.
Since joining Smart’s stable earlier this preparation, the five-year-old has been transformed. From four starts in Canberra colours, he has secured three impressive victories – including strong wins at Wagga and Wagga Riverside – with his only defeat a fighting second in a tougher BM72 at Canterbury on November 14.
The Todd Smart stable is absolutely flying at the moment, riding a wave of success in recent weeks. Stable star Cashbook kicked things off with a dominant performance at Gundagai, and now Off The Press has taken the momentum to metropolitan level, underscoring Smart’s skill in placing and rejuvenating his charges. Off The Press carried 61.5kg (reduced to 60kg with apprentice Braith Nock’s 1.5kg claim) and fully justified his $2.50 favouritism.
From the inside draw, Nock delivered a perfectly patient ride, settling just off the solid pace set by Kyeema before producing a devastating late surge that saw the favourite surge clear in the shadows of the post.
“We’ve got so many options for this horse going forward, we will just take a step back, look at it and decide what to do with him now,” beamed Smart after the race.
“Whether he has a rest or whether he goes again, he could easily go again in another one of these sorts of races.”
Jockey Braith Nock said his mount made it harder than he needed to, “I felt I was there and then he might’ve had a bit of a think about things, so I had to keep up with him, he was very well prepared on the day by Todd. I rode him in his maiden win at Gilgandra, so it was great to see him and be with him during his first city win.”
With his career record now reading 6 wins from 14 starts, Off The Press shapes as a genuine contender for higher-grade metropolitan sprints throughout the upcoming New Year carnival.
On this evidence, Todd Smart’s hot streak shows no signs of cooling off.
– Tully Potts
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