Scenic Lodge double launches New Year

Blackfriars and his former Scenic Lodge associate Hurricane Sky started the New Year with a running double at Ascot on Tuesday.

Smart Twister (6g Hurricane Sky – Classy Act by Regal Classic) scored an all-the-way victory in the Golden Square Hcp (2200m) for prominent trainer Neville Parnham.  He did best in a duel with stablemate Reign Of Terror to win by a short neck.

“Smart Twister is a real fighter and is a hard horse to get past in a tight finish,” Parnham said.  “He just keeps rolling and was well over the odds at 25/1.”

Parnham trains the gelding for Victorian couple Brian and Joan Durran and their son Cameron.  He went back and bought Smart Twister’s yearling brother for $26,000 at the 2012 Perth Magic Millions.

Parnham knows the family well having prepared their dam Classy Act to a Listed victory in the 2000 WATC Sheila Gwynne Stakes.  She was raced by Scenic Lodge owner David Smith and foaled a filly by Universal Ruler in September before visiting Yarradale Stud shuttler War Chant.

Hurricane Sky (Sky Watch) was pensioned by Scenic Lodge in 2011.  He was originally based at Arrowfield and has sired 19 stakes winners headed by G1 winning mare Divine Madonna.  The best of his Sunspeed progeny have been Hadabeclorka (G2 Winterbottom Stakes) and Avante (G3 Colonel Reeves Stakes).

Summah’s Touch completed an early Scenic Lodge double on Perth Cup day in the Golden Group Hcp (1500m).  The Adam Durrant trained filly opened her account in town after winning a Pinjarra maiden on December 6.

“She hit the line like a nice filly,” Durrant said.  “I will give her one more run over a longer journey before backing off.  I want to get an idea whether to get her ready for a race like the WA Oaks.”

Blackfriars sired 2012 Western Australian Oaks winner Pop Culture.

Summah’s Touch (3f Blackfriars – Hollywood Touch by Citidancer) cost Durrant $30,000 at the 2011 Perth Magic Millions and her youngster sister made the same amount at last year’s sale when trainer Todd Harvey was the winning bidder.

Their dam Hollywood Touch has already foaled the Blackfriars winners Friar’s Touch, Jeram Jade, Joint Effort and Midnight Touch.  She foaled a Universal Ruler colt in August and was bred back to Blackfriars.

– Karl Patterson