She won a A$20,000 race yesterday in typically brave fashion but her connections have said they will be sending Frith to the Purdon-Rasmussen stable next season, adding to their already amazing equine arsenal.
Frith will arrive as a ready-made replacement for the stable's champion mare, Adore Me, who was retired to stud in March, five days after pacing the Australasian mile record 1:47.7 in a race ironically set up by Frith.
The news she would be joining the stable was the bonus of a dominant day on which Our Waikiki Beach provided the financial highlight but Smolda the satisfaction.
The unbeaten colt led easily in Australia's richest 2-year-old pace and had the race under control a long way from home, exploding to a five-length win in 1:54.3, his last 400m in an electrifying 25.9 seconds.
He is now likely to return to New Zealand for the Harness Jewels on May 30 before being rushed back to Australia for the Breeders Challenge at Menangle in June.
Our Waikiki Beach's win continued a remarkable juvenile season for the All Stars, who have won almost every major 2-year-old race in New Zealand and have a stranglehold on the riches over the next six weeks.
But Smolda's win would have been the one that had both Purdon and Rasmussen buzzing with personal pride. Two years ago, he looked the next big thing in New Zealand pacing alongside Christen Me but he suffered from unsoundness and mystery ailments that have all but robbed him of his best form.
There was a hint that form may be returning with a track record win at Penrith 11 days ago but what he did yesterday was in a different class.
Smolda eased into the one-one for Rasmussen but while travelling easily at the 500m still shouldn't have been able to run past Beautide after he was untroubled to find the front.
Smolda, after a slight home-turn wobble, blazed past Australia's best pacer with ease in the last 200m in 1:50.7 for the mile, a time that suggests the runner-up was a little off his game.
That shouldn't detract from the winner's performance, though, as Beautide is usually machine-like on his home track and few horses have been able to run past him there in the past two years, especially when he got away with such an easy lead.
The win suggests if Smolda can keep that form up next season, he could be a genuine threat to Christen Me and possibly Beautide in the New Zealand Cup.
Menangle magic
• The Kiwis dominate the rich races at Menangle.
• Our Waikiki Beach wins Australia's richest juvenile pacing race.
• Smolda shocks Beautide in the Len Smith Mile.
• Champion Aussie mare Frith likely to join the Purdon-Rasmussen stable.
