Smith impressed by strength of 'Jug'

Press, 27 November 1980, Page 28

Smith impressed by strength of 'Jug'

By J. J. BOYLE Tommy Smith, the famous : Sydney trainer, had plenty} to engage his attention as I he gave last-minute instruc-1 tions before he sent runners) ; out for the Victoria Derby ; : at Flemington on November I I - ; t But the “little general,” as | [they call him still had an [eye for future opportunities, j I “Any good horses in the I [South Island?” he asked me.,! He listened carefully to a’! j;run-down on Powley, then I Tasked if she could be: [bought. )’| When he was told that! ’[Hector Anderton had ad vis-j j Led an American that there riwas not enough oil in the ■ oil wells of the United [States to put a deposit on 1 J Powley, Smith said he .[wished the veteran Wingatui s [owner many happy days, • and expressed the hope that ; 'I he would see the filly in i | action at Trentham in I eJanuarv. 5 t

At that time Smith could [not have predicted he would 1 become a part-owner of ano- [ jther talented South Islahdibred. ■ He is one of six owners ; [of My (Little) Brown Jug, ; 'which was unbeaten in all • [his starts on South Island < ;courses as a three-year-old; [last season, and was cam-[ ! paigned by the Riccarton j trainer Peter Jones in Mel'bourne earlier this season. i Smith’s partners in this [ ‘5250,000 purchase included [ three Melbourne business-; 'men, Messrs Nick Columb, [Bob Christie, and Alex Held. ' The sale of My Brown Jug [by the estate of the late Mr [Barney Ballin. Mr Bill Christie, and Mr Herb Ken- i dall, of Christchurch, to the I Australians was finalised late last week. I My Brown Jug is now [ spelling, but Smith will [ bring him back into work in | about three weeks. i Smith plans to prepare ■ [My Brown Jug for the Aust-1 Italian Cup at Flemington!

and the Doncaster at Randwick next autumn. Smith believes My Brown Jug will develop., into a [brilliant performer ’up to 2000 m rather than as solid stayer. i "I did not realise he was so big and strong. He is ■built almost identically to [Redcraze." Smith remarked after My Brown Jug joined his Melbourne stable last 'week-end. 1 Smith will be well content if the former star of Peter Jones’s stable develops form close to the level of Redcraze's. When trained by Syd Brown, Redcraze won 17 of his 59 starts. I The New Zealand-owned Red Mars gelding won his first two races including the Brisbane Cup for Smith’s [stable, then won 13 of his I next 24 starts including The [Metropolitan and the ! Caulfield Cup. ■ Redcraze also won 12 ! weight-for-age races inciudling the Cox Plate.