Star Perth mare headed for G1 Melbourne campaign

After indifferent winter form, Super Smink rebounded strongly and underlined her class when she finished top three in five of her six starts last campaign.

The four-year-old mare won the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) in November and ran a sensational third in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) when storming to the line from last position.

Given just a short three weeks in the paddock after her last run in the Gold Rush (1400m), Super Smink, a winner of four stakes races and $1.1 million in prizemoney, will chase further honours in Melbourne to compliment her top record at home.

“Plan A is to target three Group 1 races in Melbourne,” said Morton’s racing manager, BJ Ryan.

“She will kick off in the C.F.Orr Stakes (1400m) and Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and hopefully gain a start in the All-Star Mile (1600m) at Flemington.

“If she can’t get to the All-Star Mile there is the Group 3 Matron Stakes (1600m) on the same day.

“She had a good gallop at Ascot on Saturday and the plan is to get her across a week before the Orr.

“Dan is well experienced in travelling horses and she goes across at the peak of her powers and in form.”

Morton has also mapped out programs for his top three-year-old’s Cashel Palace and Ron’s Finalflutter.

Cashel Palace left her campaign in November in a blaze of glory after winning the Listed Lee Steere-Classic (1400m).

She’ll have a short-sharp preparation taking in the Magic Millions 3YO Trophy (1200m) first up at Pinjarra in February.

Ron’s Finalflutter, runner up in the Champion Fillies Stakes (1600m) and Burgess Queen Stakes (1400m), marks her return at Bunbury in the Breeders’ Classic (1200m) on February 2.

The WA Oaks (2400m) looms as a target race if she passes a stamina test in the Challenge Stakes (1500m) and Ascot 1000 Guineas (1800m).