Smooth Falcon to confirm ranking

Press, 1 February 1986, Page 26

Smooth Falcon to confirm ranking

NZPA-AAP Melbourne The former New Zealand colt Smooth Falconshould confirm his ranking as the best three-year-old in Australia in the Victoria Derby at Moonee Valley tonight. Smooth Falcon has created a huge impression since arriving in Australia nine months ago. Bob Knight purchased the colt from New Zealand for a six figure sum for the Australasian Bloodstock arid Rating company. Smooth Falcon has certainly lived up to his purchase price, winning seven of his eight Australian starts.

Last season Smooth Falcon won the New South Wales Edgar Tatlow Stakes, the Waratah Stakes and Victoria Youthful Stakes. Those efforts earned him the title of Australian two-year-old of the year. Knight has restricted Smooth Falcon to just four starts this season, resulting in three wins and an unlucky second. But it was his performance in last week’s heats of the Victoria Derby that highlighted his sensational ability. Despite racing without cover and being forced three wide at a crucial

stage, Smooth Falcon cru-

ised to a class record win, rating Imin 59.9 s for the 2380 m journey. Knight expects Smooth Falcon to perform even better tonight. "He’s Improved out of sight,” said Knight. “He looks a million dollars.” Bookmakers rate Smooth Falcon a 4-7 favourite to win the sAustso,ooo classic, a quote Knight believes is generous. “I think his right price is 1-10 or 1-12.1 can’t see how they are going to beat him,” he said.