With Absolute Ripper no longer active in the Alison Smith stables, the Orange-based trainer has surely been hoping for some form of replica.
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While you'd never suggest the champion country mare is replaceable, Smith might have found something close in Brief Statement.
The three-year-old filly has looked brilliant in her first three career runs, capping off a neat preparation with a comprehensive win at Towac Park on Monday afternoon.
Oddsmakers put the sprinter up at close to $4 on Sunday afternoon, but by the time the field was set to take off in the $24,000 Maiden Plate (1000 metres), she was $2.20... and spectators found out why.
With Ashley Morgan on board, Brief Statement jumped nicely from barrier five before sitting one wide and a couple of lengths behind the leading duo.
She looked to be traveling nicely at the 400-metre mark, and when the jockey pushed the button after the bend, it was all said and done.
Brief Statement shot past stablemate I'll Tell You Miss ($101) who ran a cheeky race at any old price.
"I was a little worried about the eight-day turnaround," Smith said.
"But, the race panned out how she wanted and she got the result."
Morgan is one of the reasons why the filly was part of the field on Monday as Smith was initially going to send her off for a break after her last start at Dubbo.
The race panned out how she wanted and she got the result.
- Alison Smith.
"Ash recommended giving her another run as he thought she'd be winning next start," he said.
"Now, she's heading to the paddock for a break."
Six-year-old mare Krissy Krystyna ($9) was a whisker away from winning in the fourth of the day as she was pegged back after running a cracking 1400 metres.
Smith's veteran sprinter Panuara ($13) was also valiant in the last, clinging on for third spot despite starting at a bigger price than the majority of the field.
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