Warwick Farm preview: Promising sprinter Silencio Porfavor is ready for the next challenge when he resumes on his home track

Trainer Matthew Smith couldn’t be happier with his promising sprinter Silencio Porfavor who is looking to make it three from three when he resumes at Warwick Farm.

Silencio Porfavor is out to maintain his perfect record when he resumes at Warwick Farm. Picture: Bradley Photos

Silencio Porfavor is looking to maintain his perfect record when he resumes on his home track and trainer Matthew Smith can’t see why it won’t be the case.

A son of The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes, Silencio Porfavor had always shown Smith he possessed plenty of natural talent in trackwork and trials and he took it to the races for a Super Maiden win at Kembla on debut last August.

He followed up with an impressive three-length win in a Benchmark 66 at Scone three weeks later.

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“He looks sharp and is a real powerful looking sprinting horse,” said Smith.

“I know he didn’t beat a lot at Scone but he really came away from those horses and was strong through the line.

“He pulled up shin sore at the end of his first preparation so he went out for a good break.

Silencio Porfavor opened an odds-on favourite to extend his record to three from three when he lines up at Warwick Farm on Wednesday in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1000m) with Zac Lloyd to ride.

“Zac rode him in his latest trial and really liked him. He said he felt great,” he said.

“He will get out to 1200 metres with no problem and will probably be better over that trip but he is fit and well for the 1000 metres first-up.”

Handy mare Pioneer Lass started her preparation with two good placings but things haven’t gone right for her at her last two runs.

She had cardiac arrhythmia at Canterbury back on December 20 then had absolutely no luck at Randwick last start when held up for a run for the entire straight.

Warwick Farm-based trainer Matthew Smith. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

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Smith warned to forget those two runs and is confident she can play a big role in the finish of the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m).

“She was ready to go late but just had nowhere to go,” he said.

“She would have been in the finish somewhere for sure if she got clear.

“She has got a bit of weight to carry, 60 kilos, but she has drawn a reasonable gate and Adam (Hyeronimus) stays on which is good.

“She is in really good shape and from a better barrier this week, we can hopefully ride her positively in a handy spot and see what happens.”

Despite Fifth Force missing a run in the lead up into his January 25 assignment at Randwick, Smith was happy with the gelding’s third behind Point And Shoot and Qatars Choice.

With a tick over trial under his belt and a step up in distance, Smith feels he can run a bold race in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m).

“He was four weeks between races when he went to Randwick and it was a run he needed to have for that race so it wasn’t ideal. He just started to feel the pinch the last bit,” Smith said.

“It’s a competitive race. There’s a couple up the top that go pretty good.

“He’s going well, he’s drawn a good gate and will get his opportunity with a good weight.

“I like him much better at the mile than over 1400 metres.”

A great ride from @RachelK11 sees Fifth Force secure a well-deserved victory in Race 5 at Kembla! @mcsmithracingpic.twitter.com/7BKTUipbYY

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Although unplaced in her three runs for the stable, Smith is bullish about the chances of Decadent Tale in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (2140m).

“Her first two runs were actually very good then the other day she was caught out the back in a slowly-run race,” he said.

“I just think she’s ready to run a really good race. I can’t fault her.

“Her work has been good and she looks great.”

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TALENTED apprentice Braith Nock has already recorded nine metropolitan winners from just 39 rides and can add further to his impressive tally with four leading chances at Warwick Farm.

Nock has partnered the Les Bridge-trained Smart Legend to his two most recent victories at Canterbury and is looking to maintain his perfect record on the gelding in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (2140m).

While the son of So You Think steps up beyond 1900m for the first time this week, Nock feels he will handle the extra distance.

“I don’t think the step up in distance will hurt him,” said Nock.

“He only has a short sprint but he tows himself into the race and really lets down quickly over the last 250 metres. That’s his biggest asset.

“He is taking on a bit smarter field but he is racing very well so I can’t see why he couldn’t win again.”

Talented young jockey Braith Nock. Picture: Bradley Photos

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Nock again combines with Bridge and progressive filly Scintilla as he looks to make it a hat-trick of wins when they contest the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1400m) for fillies and mares.

The daughter of Hellbent has returned a stronger horse the preparation which started with a handy second to Qatars Choice at Canterbury before big wins at her next two starts at the same course.

“Her two wins have been pretty soft so I think she will handle bigger pressure races.

“She just does everything you ask her to and that’s her biggest asset.

“I’ve got no doubt she will run out the 1400 metres because of the way she relaxes.”

Nock’s other two rides are for Annabel Neasham and Rod Archibald with Depth Of Character in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m) and Code In Time in the Benchmark 72 (1400m) for colts and geldings.

“Depth Of Character has run in a lot of Listed and Group races so far in his career,” said Nock.

“His first-up run this preparation in the Magic Millions Guineas on the Gold Coast was pretty good from a wide barrier. He hit the line well.

“He gets back in his races so Warwick Farm may not be his ideal track but he has drawn a decent gate and does have class on his side.

“Code In Time is going well working his way through the grades.

“He’s got a good draw and won’t have to do any work in the run.”

Originally published as Warwick Farm preview: Promising sprinter Silencio Porfavor is ready for the next challenge when he resumes on his home track