Jockey Tye Angland is confident that Hong Kong import Smart Volatility will prove tough to beat when he lines up for the Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington Racecourse on Saturday.
Jockey Tye Angland will partner Smart Volatility in Saturday’s Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington. Photo: Daniel Costello
Smart Volatility made his Australian racing debut in the Winter Dash (1200m) at Randwick on June 25th, and while brave in front throughout the early stages of the race, weakened in the final straight to finish seventh.
Given little chance of success in the Listed Ramornie Handicap (1200m) in Grafton last time out on July 13th, the Danewin gelding mustered another gutsy performance to hold on for an impressive win.
Angland has been pleased with the continually building condition of Smart Volatility, and told Racing Ahead that he believes the horse should be tough to beat in the Aurie’s Star Handicap on Saturday.
“He sat deep, facing the breeze on a very fast tempo and to hold on like he did, I thought it was a very big effort considering he was only second-up,” Angland said.
“He seems to be a Group 1 horse, he just has to step it up a little more.
“Since returning to Australia I thought his first-up run was quite impressive, he just got tired late.
“Obviously his second-up run was faultless. It was a massive effort to hold on to win and I thought his trial was even more impressive.
“He looks well, he looks nice and big and strong. Since his return the colour of his coat is a lot more of a light white colour and he definitely looks the part.
“He’s got a bit of form down the straight in Hong Kong. He won his first race over there down the straight.
“He ran second or third behind Peniaphobia I believe. You look at his Hong Kong form; Able Friend, Gold-Fun – he’s finished in behind those so if he can bring one of his Group runs back to here, he’ll be very hard to beat in a race like that tomorrow.”
Smart Volatility has posted seven wins and as many minors through twenty-five career starts, since making his competitive debut at Sha Tin in the late stages of 2012.
Smart Volatility is currently available at 2016 Aurie’s Star Handicap odds of $6 with online bookie Ladbrokes Australia.
