Cheers for Super Smink barrier in the Northerly Stakes
With apologies to organisers of The Everest, barrier draws can tend to be sedate affairs but there was thunderous applause from a large gathering of Super Smink’s owners at Ascot’s Chairman’s Lounge on Tuesday and for very good reason after their wishes were granted.
Joining the celebration was trainer Dan Morton, usually understated and not prone to getting too excited about racing affairs, but he also could barely contain his delight and walked away confident all was in readiness for Super Smink’s Group1 bid on Saturday.
Following a cracking third from the back of the field when stepping from gate 15 in last fortnight’s Railway Stakes (1600m), Super Smink’s hopes for a turnaround in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) soared significantly after she drew perfectly in barrier six.
Along with gun three-year-old, Storyville, Super Smink leads the local contingent as they attempt to stymie the eastern states visitors making it a clean sweep of Perth’s Group 1s after Port Lockroy won the Railway and Overpass the Winterbottom (1200m).
“She’s got a bit of a racing pattern now, “Morton said.
“She did get back (Railway) and rattled hard and who knows you draw another marble you might win the race.
“She’s got a good gate this week and we’ll give it another shot.”
That Super Smink’s in contention and in line for Group 1 glory and rich prize money would have appeared an ambitious task after a disappointing campaign earlier this year.
It got off on the wrong foot in the Quokka (1200m) when running last and it didn’t improve in follow ups when unplaced three more times before Morton pulled up stumps.
A history-making two-year-old, Super Smink became the first horse to win WA’s feature treble: the Magic Millions WA 2YO Classic (1200m), Group 2 Karrakatta Plate (1200m) and Group 3 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), but she couldn’t get warm in the autumn and winter.
In contrast her form this time in has been almost flawless with Morton crediting a trouble-free preparation as being the key. After encouraging placings in the Black Heart Bart Stakes (1200m) and Eurythmic Stakes (1400m), Super Smink found the winner’s cheque again in the Asian Beau Stakes (1400m), before her eye-catching Railway Stakes run.
“This whole prep has been seamless, so far,” Morton said.
“I’ve been confident in all her races leading in this time around.
“She hasn’t drawn a marble and when she drew a good gate she won.
“All the other races she’s had outside gates and forced to go back than she needed to be.
“I’m confident she’s going as good as ever.
“I couldn’t be happier with her.
“I feel we’ve got her where she needs to be.”
Perfect barrier, peak form, top jockey, Chris Parnham engaged, the cards are in play for Super Smink to run a big race in the Northerly Stakes.
The only box left to tick is 1800m, it’s unchartered territory for the Super One mare, but Morton doesn’t believe it will have a bearing on the outcome.
“I’ve never wavered from it to be honest that she would run it out,” Morton said.
“It’s been my thought all along, but we still have to get there and prove it on Saturday.
“I’m confident she’ll run it out nice and strong.”
Super Smink is $7 with Tabtouch, behind Attrition and Storyville who share top billing at $4.60 with betting sites in Australia.
Democracy Manifest is $7 and Light Infantry Man $8.50.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...