Bolter Upstages Fancies InTJ

Sat 14 Apr

It was billed as a match race between Foxwedge and Rain Affair, but Master Of Design has pulled off a stunning upset to win the G1 TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) in a tight photo finish. The impeccably-bred son of Redoute's Choice, who fetched $2.1 million as a yearling, has been plagued by chronic knee problems throughout his career but finally rewarded trainer Daivd Payne's persistence. "His feet, joints. You name it and he's had a problem there," Payne said. "He's not a horse you can gallop.When they're a crock and you nurse them back, it makes a difference when you win. "We've been trying to win this Group One with him and he's knocked off the big guns today." In a tactical run race, Master Of Design sat patiently at the tail of the field before launching a withering finishing burst to grab Rain Affair in the shadows of the post with Hallowell Belle back in third.