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Smokin' Joey to bounce in spring

Thursday 2 September 2010
By Robert Windmill

Exciting colt Smokin' Joey is developing the physique of an imposing horse which trainer Lee Freedman hopes is an indication of his spring prospects.

A brother to Group One performer Our Smoking Joe, the son of Encosta De Lago already stands just under 17 hands and will be looking to build on his reputation against a crack field of three-year-olds in Saturday's Group Two Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

"He is a very big three-year-old and has got a little bit more growing to do so he will end up a monster of a horse later on," Freedman said.

Smokin' Joey has always impressed Freedman who tested the colt in some strong races during the Brisbane winter carnival.

"He is pretty smart and we asked a bit of him in his first preparation," Freedman said.

Smokin' Joey was outstanding at his debut when he stormed home from last to win the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in May before having little luck in Group company in three Brisbane starts.

Each time he ran into Pressday, finishing fifth to him in the Champagne Stakes (1200m), fourth in the QTC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) and 10th in the Group One TJ Smith (1600m).

"His first run around Doomben he didn't handle it that well but still ran a nice fifth while he was probably unlucky in the Sires when he was beaten just over a length after running up on the heels of the leaders with a furlong (200m) to go, checking and having to come out," Freedman said.

He said he had high hopes that Smokin' Joey would make a stayer as his brother won the 2005 Queen Elizabeth Stakes and was just behind the placegetters in both the 2006 Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate.

Damien Oliver will ride Smokin' Joey in the Danehill and Freedman said he would be watching for him making an impact late in the race.

"I am very hopeful he will get over ground," Freedman said.

"He is taking on specialist sprinters like Star Witness on Saturday and they will be very hard to beat down the straight course.

"He (Smokin' Joey) has never been down there (the straight) and I would just like to see him ridden in a quiet fashion early on and then get home hard."

The Danehill was traditionally run during Melbourne Cup week but was moved to September in 2006 to replace the Ascot Vale Stakes which is now run as the Coolmore Stud Stakes on Derby Day.