SUPER SMINK TAKES AIM AT FIRST GROUP 1 SILVERWARE

Perth horse will attempt to thwart eastern dominance at The Pinnacles in Northerly

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PERTH - Barrier draws can tend to be sedate affairs, but there was thunderous applause from a large gathering of Super Smink's owners at the Chairman's Lounge at Ascot racecourse in Perth on Dec 3.

The wild celebrations were for a very good reason. Their wishes had been granted, as they often have in the remarkable racing career of the Super One mare.

Joining the celebration was trainer Dan Morton, usually understated and not prone to getting too excited about racing affairs, but he also could barely contain his delight and walked away confident all was in readiness for Super Smink's Group 1 bid in the A$1.5 million (S$1.3 million) Northerly Stakes (1,800m) on Dec 7.

Following a cracking third from the back of the field when stepping from gate 15 in the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1,600m) on Nov 23, Super Smink's hopes for a turnaround a fortnight later soared significantly after she drew perfectly in barrier No. 6.

Along with gun three-year-old, Storyville, Super Smink leads the local contingent as they attempt to stymie the eastern states visitors making it a clean sweep of Perth's Group 1s after Sydney raiders Port Lockroy and Overpass won the Railway and Winterbottom Stakes (1,200m) on Nov 30, respectively.