Keiai Nautique out to emulate his brother in Makybe Diva Stakes
Matt Smith-trained Japanese import and sibling to Fierce Impact makes second Australian start at Flemington
Matt Smith knows what it takes to train a son of Deep Impact (Sunday Silence) to Group 1 success and he’s hoping he might be able to repeat the feats he achieved with Fierce Impact with his latest Japanese-bred and owned addition to the stable, Keiai Nautique.
The seven-year-old brother to Leneva Park Stud stallion Fierce Impact, the Smith-trained winner of last year’s edition of the Makybe Diva Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) as well as the Cantala Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) and Toorak Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m) in the spring of 2019, joined Smith’s Warwick Farm team earlier this year.
After taking some time to acclimatise to his new Australian environs, Keiai Nautique made an impressive racing debut in the Winx Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) on August 21, coming from near last off a fast pace to finish fourth behind Mo’unga (Savabeel).
“It was a good run. They went quick so it did help the horses get in the race. He’s pulled up well and is in really good order,” Smith said.
“It took him a while to settle in and that’s why we trialled him a few times. He was a bit finicky on his feed but he’s got going now. He’s a pretty laid back horse and a pleasure to have around.”
When asked to draw comparisons between Keiai Nautique and his older brother Fierce Impact, Smith said: “They are very similar. Keiai Nautique is a little bit of a bigger version and a bit longer and leaner. But they are very similar in physique and very correct and sound horses.
“Keiai Nautique looks more like a 2000-metre horse, whereas Fierce Impact was more of a sprinter/miler.”
Keiai Nautique carries the colours of his breeder and owner Kazuhiro Kameda and the best achievement on his racing resume before venturing Down Under was success in the Tokyo’s NHK Mile Cup (Gr 1, 1600m) in 2018, a race he won by a neck ahead of Gibeon (Deep Impact) and defeated subsequent Hong Kong Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m) winner Danon Smash (Lord Kanaloa).
“He beat some good horses when he won and last year he was not beaten far by some very good horses there,” Smith said.
“That puts him in a position to be competitive in this race (Makybe Diva Stakes) if he turns up.”
Smith described the progeny he’s trained by the late Deep Impact as “quirky”.
“I have been to Japan a few times and got to talk to trainers about his progeny. He’s an incredible stallion but his progeny are a bit quirky and you have to work them out.
“These two (Keiai Nautique and Fierce Impact) are quirky buggers but the inside information taught me to be patient with Fierce Impact and treat him like a good horse and have the confidence that he would do the right thing on raceday.
“I’m still learning about this new horse and how to prepare him,” he said.
Today’s elite-level test at Headquarters against the likes of Caulfield Cup favourite Incentivise (Shamus Award), three-time Group 1 winner Tofane (Ocean Park) and Mo’unga will provide Smith with invaluable insight into the horse.
“This is definitely a big day for us. His second-up form overseas at home wasn’t good at all, it was pretty poor and we will learn more if we got things right or need to do something different in the next race,” Smith added.
Although the outcome of today’s race will help Smith more clearly define the direction of Keiai Nautique’s spring path, he hopes it will lead to the Cox Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) at The Valley on October 23, a race the Japanese-bred Lys Gracieux (Heart’s Cry) won in 2019.
“I have had the view, even before his first start, that a mile and quarter would be where he comes into his own. We will be going that way in Melbourne or Sydney it just depends on how he travels and pulls up,” Smith said.
“The timing is perfect for the Cox Plate and that’s why we mapped out this program.
“If he happens to win today or run well and win the next start and get a berth in the Cox Plate, that’s definitely where we want to be.”
Should Keiai Nautique, who has three wins from 25 starts, successfully rise to Group 1 level in Australia there’s every chance the entire could ultimately join his older brother in the southern hemisphere stallion ranks.
“There are so many sons of Deep Impact in Japan either at stud or that could go to stud and with his Group 1 win over there he was going to be limited in terms of what would happen with his stud and racing career, but he might get an opportunity in Australia or New Zealand.”