Smart Bijou boosts rating

Press, 6 March 1984, Page 30

Smart Bijou boosts rating

Special correspondent Alexandra Smart Bijou boosted her rating when she narrowly won the Garret Handicap at the Cromwell Jockey Club’s meeting yesterday. Down the track were the well performed War Lass and The Wink. “I would like to have a crack at a cup with her. The more racing she gets the better she gets,” said Brian Anderton, who trains her at Wingatui in partnership with Graeme Offen. A six-year-old mare by Noble Bijou from Smart Mellay, Smart Bijou is raced by Ray Reid, of Mosgiel, and Ken Russell, of Wyllies Crossing. She has won four races for the partnership. She had finished second to Moomba in the highweight on the first day. Smart Bijou came wide out from near the tail of the field to score by a long neck from Ocean Guard with a head to Duaprove. Kade was six lengths back. The favourite, The Wink, dropped out to last after attempting to lead for the last 1200 m. She ran keenly close to the lead in the early part when the pace was slack. “She wouldn’t settle and wasn’t holding the track and

was big in condition,” said her rider, Ali Robinson. '

War Lass was a fading fifth after improving from last to third at the 900 m when Ocean Guard joined The Wink in front. “The muddling pace didn’t suit her but it would seem below her best form,” said Jim Pankhurst, rider of War Lass.

The Vision narrowly won the Travelodge Handicap, second leg of the double, with a strong finish from second last in a seven-horse field. She outfinished Noble Princess by a neck. Noble Princess trailed in fourth place and led at the 300 m.

The Vision, like Smart Bijou is a six-year-old mare by Noble Bijou, which was represented by a third winner yesterday. Noble Nymph further advanced Noble Bijou’s substantial lead on the New Zealand sires list on the basis of stakes won. He is now in front for the number of races won, his progeny having amassed more than 50 wins and over >240,000. Noble Bijou, which stands at Brian Anderton’s White Robe Lodge Stud, has topped the sires list the last two seasons.