Brave Smash installed Futurity favourite

Brave Smash is the early favourite to win the Group One Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

Former Japanese horse Brave Smash has been installed the early favourite to claim his first Group One win in the Futurity Stakes at Caulfield after his narrow defeat in the C F Orr Stakes over the same course at distance.

Brave Smash is one of three Darren Weir-trained horses nominated for Saturday’s weight-for-age Futurity (1400m) along with dual Group One winners Humidor and Tosen Stardom.

Brave Smash, third in the $10 million Everest in October, finished strongly once he got clear running in the Orr Stakes (1400m) last Saturday week to finish third to Hartnell and Single Gaze in a blanket finish.

The five-year-old entire was posted the $4 favourite in the TAB’s all-in market on Monday, with Tosen Stardom at $5.50 and Humidor and Mighty Boss at $7.

Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss did not have a lot of luck in the straight in the Orr Stakes, finishing seventh.

Nominations for the Futurity have been extended until Tuesday after 14 entries were taken on Monday.

The Lindsay Park stable has nominated Sovereign Nation and Snitzson and both contested a 1200m Wodonga barrier trial last week in preparation for their returns to the races.

Sovereign Nation raced twice at Caulfield during his spring campaign last year in handicaps, running on for fourth in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) and second in the Toorak Handicap (1600m), carrying 52kg.

“He’s a very good first-up horse,” co-trainer David Hayes said.

Snitzson has been placed twice at Group One level, finishing third in last year’s Australian Guineas as an autumn three-year-old and third in the Epsom Handicap in Sydney as a spring four-year-old.