A wink could turn into the lion’s share of $1 million for trainer Gavin Sharrock on Saturday when he contests the TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) with Daylight Robbery.
The two-year-old son of Super Seth is aptly named, with Sharrock paying just $10,500 for the colt out of Waikato Stud’s New Zealand Bloodstock National Online Yearling Sale on Gavelhouse Plus last year, after he was passed in at Karaka after failing to reach his $70,000 reserve.
Sharrock was taken by the colt when watching his video online, with the last frame sealing the New Plymouth horseman’s decision to buy him.
“I looked at his video 100 times and in the last frame of his video he winked at me every time,” Sharrock said after selecting gate nine at the barrier draw on Wednesday.
“Nobody bid on the horse, he was passed in for $70,000 when he came here (Karaka) and I rang Cliff, my other owner, and I said I am going to have a go at this horse, so I put a $12,000 autobid on and we go him for $10,500.
“I am still pinching myself. I can never afford a yearling with that breeding under normal circumstances.
Daylight Robbery is out of Group Two-winning mare Villifye, a half-sister to Group One winner Miss Keepsake, and she is the dam of Group Three performer Traduce.
Daylight Robbery has already repaid his purchase price, accumulating $22,000 in prizemoney in his three starts to date, with a victory bookended by two runner-up results, including behind Karaka Millions favourite To Bravery Born at Ellerslie last start.
“I think he is peaking at the right time, he has got the right attitude, can withstand a bit of pressure and I hope he is right there,” Sharrock said.
“100m out it looked like he was only going to run fourth (last start) and he really dug it in and held second. He blew hard afterwards, and I think there is a bit of improvement in him.
“He went home to Taranaki, it is not a bad trip. He travels well and he never left an oat. He was back out in the paddock the next day and has just worked quietly on the plough, so there’s no pressure on his joints. Hopefully all goes well on Saturday.”
Daylight Robbery is currently a $21 winning chance with TAB bookmakers, with the market headed by To Bravery Born at $3.30 and Too Sweet at $4.60. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
