Brave Smash wins 2017 Chandler Macleod Stakes Listed $120,000 at Moonee Valley (VIC), 1200m.
A last-start listed race second to dual Group One winner Vega Magic saw Japanese import Brave Smash a deserved favourite and worthy winner here. Brave Smash was a shade slow away from barrier eight and found himself back early but jockey Damian Lane soon rushed him forward once settled, hunting up to be a handy third, three out. They held steady down the side and were poised to challenge at the 300m, improving to second just before straightening. Into the straight they took over, looked to break clear inside the 150m but had enough in the tank to hold on by a half-length.
El Divino sat one out of the leader down the side, led before the straight, was grabbed by the winner at the 200m but fought back well, gaining a little near the line for a solid second from Revolving Door, who was in behind the leading group before straightening and emerged from the pack to run into third.
A top run from Santa Ana Lane, who was third last at the 300m, pulled wide into the straight and rattled home for a close fourth.
