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Smerdon predicts big future for Brungle Cry
20 Jun 2012 | By James Buckley - racingandsports.com.au Leading Melbourne trainer Robert Smerdon believes Brungle Cry can become one of Australia’s best jumps horses following his dominant win at Sandown on Wednesday.
Smerdon barely broke a sweat as his fast-developing four-year-old dominated the Restricted Hurdle Handicap (3300m), pulling away for a 12 length triumph – his second career salute over the jumps.
Brungle Cry won his first hurdle event in a Warrnambool maiden during the city’s annual carnival last month, but Smerdon had forged his opinion on the horse’s jumping ability long before.
“Twelve months ago we thought he was the right type, he stayed, he was sound, he had all the attributes,” Smerdon said.
“These horses with stamina like him, they probably have a greater earning capacity over the jumps so he’ll probably stick to the jumps exclusively now.
“He’s a horse that we’ve felt from the start was really going to take the steps and go to the top level jumpers.
“He can be a National horse, he can go to the top level I’m sure.”
Smerdon is no stranger to Sandown’s iconic $200,000 Grand National (3900m), a race he won last year with Australian jumps champion Black And Bent.
This year’s renewal most likely won’t fit into Brungle Cry’s program but Smerdon could be armed with a powerful two-pronged attack in 2013.
Jockey Steven Pateman, who rode Black And Bent to success in the race last year, said Brungle Cry could follow in the hoof steps of his elite stablemate.
“I couldn’t agree more and Robert’s the man to do it,” Pateman said.
“He’s done it plenty of times before and his turn of foot on that wet ground is very, very good, and that’ll just win him races at whatever the trip.
“You see it time and time again with Robert making these jumpers as they’re young horses and they’re just going to keep getting better and better every year. He’s very exciting.”
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