Saturday is shaping to be a busy day for Allan Sharrock, with stakes assignments both at home and away for the New Plymouth trainer.
He will be represented at Ellerslie by his promising two-year-old Ka Ron in the $1 million TAB Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m), while he will have eight runners at his home meeting, including two stakes contenders.
Hello Youmzain gelding Ka Ron has impressed in both of his starts to date, finishing runner-up behind subsequent Group Two winner and Karaka Millions favourite Kinnaird, and he filled the same position at Ellerslie last start when beaten by Wexford’s exciting filly Te Encuentro.
Sharrock has been pleased with Ka Ron’s progression since that Boxing Day outing, and while disappointed with his outside barrier draw (15), the expected heavy rain could prove to be a blessing.
“He is 100 percent sound, he has ticked all the boxes, so other than the draw we are quite happy with where we are,” Sharrock said.
“They are talking quite a bit of rain, whether it eases enough, but it might play out, so we could be in the right place.
“He is a genuine racehorse. He was probably entitled to win his first start and it was the favourite (Kinnaird) for the race (Karaka Millions) that won that. I think we are better than a rough chance.”
Back at home, Sharrock will line-up in-form mare Bridal Train in the Gr.3 Denis Wheeler Earthmoving Taranaki Cup (1800m).
The daughter of U S Navy Flag has won two of her last three starts and will carry just 53kg this weekend when she takes on multiple Group One winner El Vencedor (59kg).
With the track rated a Heavy9 on Friday morning, and more rain forecast, it could lighten the field, and while he isn’t overly enamoured with the wet conditions, Sharrock holds no fears for them with his mare.
“She is flying, she is going really well,” Sharrock said. “Whether he (El Vencedor) runs, I don’t think they are that happy with the conditions, I would probably like a little bit better too. We have got 53 (kilos) and I think she is a good each way play in that race.”
Sharrock will also be represented in the meeting’s other stakes contest, the Listed Grangewilliam Oaks Prelude (1800m), with Kingsbrook Diva.
The Maurice filly has made quite the impression on Sharrock at home and he is hoping she can bring that form to raceday this weekend.
“I am surprised she is still a maidener, she is a very good galloper,” Sharrock said. “We are still trying to work her out. We have put blinkers on her and she wouldn’t be the roughest chance in that race.”
Earlier on the card, Sharrock will have a two-pronged attack in the Warner Construction LTD Open 1400 courtesy of Loch In Ora and Sindee, with both mares in line for a tilt at stakes level next month.
“Both are heading towards the Wairarapa Breeders’ Stakes (Listed, 1600m) and both are racing well,” Sharrock said. “It is hard to split the two of them, I would like the track to improve slightly for them too. It is a funny weather pattern at the moment, you wouldn’t know what is going on.”
Sharrock is also excited about the prospects of Komocean in the Platinum Homes 1200m, with the mare having won three of her four starts to date, while he believes Belle Tribute can bounce back in the Hirepool New Plymouth 1600.
“Komocean is a very good mare,” Sharrock said. “She will cope with the conditions and she won first-up pretty authoritatively, I expect her to be hard to beat.
“Belle Tribute was very unlucky at Wellington last Saturday and she will take a lot of beating with three kilos off at home.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk
