Smith’s hero making the deepest of impacts

The Matthew Smith-trained Fierce Impact drew alongside Contrail (Jpn) and Firement (Jpn) as the only three-time Group 1-winning sons of the late Shadai Stallion Station resident and now with the promise of adding to his tally.

Fierce Impact topped a quality line-up at Flemington and will have upcoming opportunities to prove himself the legendary stallion’s most prolific male when he runs in the G1 Caulfield S. and the G1 Cox Plate.

The 7-year-old had previously triumphed in the G1 Cantala S. and the G1 Toorak H. and on Saturday accounted for the highly-regarded Russian Camelot (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who lost no caste on defeat.

“He’s come back really well and he was very well-ridden. They are hard to win so it’s a great thrill for everyone involved and I’ve got to thank all the staff behind me and the owners,” Smith said.

Fierce Impact was making the second start of his spring preparation, having opened with an encouraging performance to finish third in the G1 Winx S. behind Verry Elleegant (NZ) (Zed {NZ}).

“His work this prep has been much better, I don’t know why, but he has come back so much better. He just seems to be in a very happy place and I’m sure he will be much improved for his next start.

“It will be very interesting to see him at his next start at 2000 metres and to see what he can do.”

Fierce Impact will step up in trip in the Caulfield S. on September 5.

“If he can run well then we’ll get in the Cox Plate and we’ll see what happens from there,” Smith said.

The winner of six races and more than $3.1 million, Fierce Impact is a stallion of unusual nature.

A bit quirky

“He is a bit quirky, there’s no doubt about that and you could see it in the race today that he just idles himself down,” Smith said.

“Jason Collett rode him last start in the Winx and said he got to the front and did the same. He’s just a horse that does the bare minimum, that’s just the way he is.”

Jockey Mark Zahra handled Fierce Impact impeccably at Flemington where he sat close to the pace and produced an irresistible finish when asked for the supreme effort.

Fierce Impact will have been on the radar of many Australian studmasters for some time and even more so now.

“He’s a full brother to a Group 1 winner and he’s out of a mare that’s a Group winner so he’s well-related. I’m sure at some stage he will be finding a good home,” Smith said.

His sibling Keiai Nautique (Jpn) won the Tokyo NHK Mile Cup and their dam Keiai Gerbera (Jpn) (Smarty Jones {USA}) was successful nine times, including a brace of Group 3 victories.

While all honours were with Fierce Impact, there was a ton of merit in the effort of the favourite and runner-up Russian Camelot.

In his first appearance since winning the G1 South Australian Derby, he was caught four and five deep from an outside barrier and fought valiantly all the way to the wire.

“He’s maturing all the time mentally and physically. He had a great winter and was as good as we could get him,” trainer Danny O’Brien said.

Outsider So Si Bon (So You Think {NZ}) was a sound third ahead of Master Of Wine (Ger) (Maxios {GB}), who made ground stylishly for fourth ahead of Dalasan (Dalakhani {Ire}).

The race was marred in the early stages when defending champion Gatting (Hard Spun {USA}) was humanely euthanised after breaking down in the early stages of the race.

"It is with sadness that RV confirms that Gatting has been humanely euthanised as a result of an injury sustained during the running of the Makybe Diva S.,” a Racing Victoria statement said.

"The horse received immediate veterinary care, however, it was unable to be saved due to the nature of the injury sustained. His rider Luke Nolen was not injured.

"RV and the VRC extends its condolences to the owners of the horse, trainer Peter Moody and stable staff who cared for the horse throughout his career, both in WA and Victoria, and are greatly saddened by their loss.”