Bred in Japan and originally raced in Europe, the Matthew Smith-trained Fierce Impact (JPN) was rewarded for his consistency by capturing the Group III Summer Cup (2000m) at Randwick on Boxing Day.
Given a gun ride by Corey Brown the son of Deep Impact defeated another Japanese bred son of Deep Impact, Satono Rasen (JPN), by a length with Life Less Ordinary (IRE) a half-length back in third. (photo Steve Hart)
It was the first stakes win for Fierce Impact (JPN) who placed at Listed level in England after being purchased in Japan by Qatar Racing.
"It's great for the owners who have been very patient with this horse," stable representative Colum McCullagh said.
"He was in the Villiers and was meant to run over the mile a couple of weeks ago and bad barriers were against us so it was back to the trials and on to today so it's great it has worked out.
"Corey gave him a peach, stuck to the plan, didn't get too far back and coming to the turn he looked nothing but the winner.
After losing form in England, Fierce Impact was consigned to the 2017 Tattersalls Autumn Horses In Training Sale where he was purchased by Matthew Smith for 120,000 guineas.
The pedigree received a huge update in May this year when Fierce Impact's year younger brother Keiai Nautique won the Group 1 NHK Mile Cup at Tokyo.
Their dam Keiai Gerbera won a pair of Group III races in Japan. The daughter of Kentucky Derby hero Smarty Jones was imported in utero when her dam Anna Sterz (Danzig) was purchased by Japanese interests for US$300,000 at the 2005 Keeneland November Sale.
Her two-year-old colt, also by Deep Impact, has placed at his only two starts at Kyoto this year.
Fierce Impact (JPN) becomes the 125th stakes-winner for Deep Impact.
Arrowfield Stud has catalogued a Deep Impact colt out of the Redoute’s Choice mare Grito to the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale and a pair of colts by the Japanese legend to the Inglis Easter Australian Yearling Sale.
