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By Ray Hickson

Of all the factors trainer Matthew Smith can’t control about Saturday’s Group 1 $600,000 TAB Chipping Norton Stakes it's the pace he says is most crucial to Fierce Impact’s chances of claiming the feature Randwick mile.

Trainer Matthew Smith (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The six-year-old developed into a genuine Group 1 miler in the spring with wins in the Toorak Handicap and Cantala Stakes and transitioned to weight-for-age with a narrow defeat in the Group 1 Orr Stakes (1400m) three weeks ago.

Smith said the Chipping Norton, which boasts 10 Group 1 winners, is a cut above what he’s met in Melbourne.

“I think he ran as well as he could first-up but this is a better field, he will have to find the form that won the two races in Melbourne and if he does he will be hard to hold out,’’ Smith said.

“Everything he is doing suggests he is going into it in the right shape.

“He’ll run his best race there’s no worries about that. He’s ready to go, it’ll be a matter of getting the right run and the right ride.

“If he jumps well and can get into a good spot and get out at the right time - all those things have got to happen in Group 1s.’’

Tempo is the key word Smith uses when asked what Fierce Impact needs on his side to claim his third Group 1 win.

But he proved in the Orr that he can take up a position in midfield if the pace, or lack of, allows.

“I just think we need a bit of tempo. I suppose Te Akau Shark needs a bit of tempo too,’’ Smith said.

“The way he sprinted in Melbourne gives me hope that he doesn’t need crazy tempo. He sprinted off a slowish tempo the other day and just missed but in the races he’s won there has been good tempo so the quicker they go the better.’’

The market doesn’t seem to respect Fierce Impact’s record this season, he’s a $7.50 chance with TAB.

Smith said Fierce Impact recovered quickly from being gallop on in the Orr and has been pleased with his work, and recent barrier trial win at Hawkesbury under race jockey Brenton Avdulla, ahead of Saturday’s contest.

Stayers Ilwendo and Attorney continue their course towards a possible Schweppes Sydney Cup start in the Ranvet Handicap (2000m) and Smith said both will relish stepping up in distance on their first-up runs.

As it stands Attorney is a $15 chance with TAB in pre-post Sydney Cup betting while Ilwendo sits at $51.

All eyes will be on Attorney after he was a beaten favourite first-up over the Randwick mile two weeks ago where he warmed up late running a race best 11.94 for his last 200m (Punter's Intelligence), about a length faster than anything else, in running sixth.

“He’s much better suited to 2000m but I think the race the other day shows he’s going to be better at 2400m,’’ Smith said.

Fierce Impact beats Ilwendo in a Hawkesbury trial on February 20

“Coming out of restricted races into Saturday grade there’s a different tempo of course and he showed the other day he couldn’t handle the quicker tempo of a mile.

“At 2000m it will enable him to get into the race a little bit and not be so far back and awkwardly placed. You can’t be giving that big a start. I’m happy with him, I just think he will get better up over further.’’

Attorney was a $7 chance on Thursday while Ilwendo, coming off a first-up win under 60.5kg on a heavy track, is at $6.50 and Smith said he’s the type of horse that can control his own destiny.

“He’ll be up doing his own thing up near the pace, Attorney will be dictated by tempo,’’ he said.

“He’s in good order, he’s come back well. He showed ability last prep heading through his grades, he’s a nice horse who has always showed us something.

“Each prep he’s had he’s done better.’’

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's meeting at Royal Randwick