All-the-way Win For Theanswermyfriend

An impressive front-running win in the A$120,000 Listed Sofitel (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday has set up a possible Group 1 bid for Theanswermyfriend (High Chaparral), who was purchased at Karaka for just $70,000.

Ridden by Craig Williams for trainer Robert Smerdon, the four-year-old overcame the disadvantage of drawing the outside gate in the 14-horse field by rolling forward to take the lead. He never looked back from there, racing to victory by a length and three-quarters.

“We needed to win here to get a rating that will get us into the Sir Rupert Clarke (1400m at Caulfield on October 1), as that's where we thought we'd like to go at the start of the preparation,” Smerdon said.

Williams was highly impressed with his mount’s performance.

“He had the elements against him, but he came into this race nicely,” Williams said. “He's got further improvement which is exciting.”

Theanswermyfriend was offered by Curraghmore Stud at the 2015 Premier Sale, where Aquanita Racing secured him for $70,000.

Raced by Mr R A E Lyons, Mr P D Harrison, Mr P N Kean, Mr G L Smith, Mr J P Van Duuren, Mr I Roberts, Mr G K Roberts and the All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, Theanswermyfriend has now had 13 starts for four wins, six placings and prizemoney of A$285,020.