Smerdon makes Randwick his property

Saturday 1 April 2017, 1:18pm

Melbourne trainer Robert Smerdon has launched a successful raid on Sydney, with Property continuing his good form to win the Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick.

The Group Three race for two-year-olds over 1100m on Saturday's program was the first test of the heavy track, which jockeys said was fair despite the recent rain.

Originally earmarked for Hong Kong, Property has won three of his five starts for Smerdon, who is pleased to have him in the stable.

Sent out at $4.80, Property came from behind to beat Condor Heroes ($4.80), which was expected to lead the field but missed the start and had to make ground late.

Property's winning margin was 3-1/4 lengths and underscored his form, which includes a second on debut to subsequent Blue Diamond Stakes winner Catchy in January after he failed the stringent vet tests for Hong Kong in late 2016.

"He had some spurring on his knees so they kept him here to our advantage," Smerdon said.

"He's done well, although the offer from Hong Kong was substantial so he hasn't recouped that yet.

"He has a three-year-old's build and brain so we'll have a look and see if there's anything else for him.

"He's been up a long time but is handling it well and has a great constitution."

Bowman said the youngster handled the unfamiliar ground easily.

"He handled the conditions well, which was a bit of a question mark, but he's a beautiful colt and I think we'll see more of him in the spring," he said.

"It's heavy ground. I galloped on it this morning and thought that was about the range.

"It's going to be fair ground. Everyone is going to get their chance and given the weeks of rain, we should be pleased with what we have got."

Condor Heroes' jockey, Mark Zahra, was pleased with the colt's effort, although things did not go to plan.

"He is just still a baby," Zahra said.

"The gates opened and he just stood there. In hindsight, it's not bad seeing him go back and come through. It adds another string to his bow."

– AAP

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