SMART ONE SET TO BE SMARTEST

On the strength of his fluent training gallop, Jin Sakamoto can make it two on the trot

- 

It is a wonder that Smart One has yet to salute at Kranji.

The David Kok-trained galloper has already raced 14 times in the colours of the Smart Bet Stable yes, the same colours worn by Smart Bet the racehorse who won, among other races, the 2002 Singapore Derby.

Well, the guys are still in the game and, come May 25, we will see those familiar yellow and blue silks on Smart One, who is down to contest the Open Maiden event over 1,400m.

Will the four-year-old finally break the duck? We shall see. But Kok would have been mighty pleased with the show put up by his galloper on the morning of May 21.

Taken out by Brazilian jockey Bernardo Pinheiro for a spin on the training track, the Australian-bred gelding turned in a smart gallop when disposing of the 600m in a flashy time of 34.7sec.

So, why has he still not won a race? In all fairness, he has not had the breaks which are so important in this game.

Take that last start on May 12. Ridden by apprentice Clyde Leck, he had to be reshod behind the gates.

Then, when they were finally on their way, Smart One was trapped wide out and stayed there for most of the 1,400m trip.

To compound matters, on returning to scale, it was discovered that the son of Snitzel had cast a near-fore plate.