Allan Sharrock will be hoping it’s a case of like mother, like daughter, if Sinarahma (NZ) (Darci Brahma) lines-up in the Gr.1 Barfoot & Thompson Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie next month.
Sharrock trained Sinarahma’s dam, Shez Sinsational (NZ) (Ekraar), to win the 2012 edition of the two-mile feature, and he believes her six-year-old daughter has the potential to do the same.
The Darci Brahma mare has only been tested up to 2000m, but Sharrock said there are a couple of factors that have influenced his decision.
“I have changed tack,” Sharrock said. “There is a possibility I might run her in the Auckland Cup.
“She has always been strong in her races late, it is worth $500,000, she probably comes into the race at 53.5kg, and her mother won it. Dee And Gee won the New Zealand Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) and she’s a Darci Brahma.
“I have always been of the opinion that a good miler can win the Auckland Cup, as a long as you settle.
“We will pay a late nomination the week prior, if I am happy enough to go there.”
Sharrock has a good association with the race, having won two previously with Shez Sinsational (2012) and Ladies First (NZ) (Dylan Thomas) (2018).
“It is a race I am familiar with and it’s a nice race to win, if you are good enough,” he said.
Sinarahma has pleased her trainer with her recent performances, including a runner-up result behind Melody Belle in the Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600m), after missing the start, and running fifth in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa earlier this month.
“She was the first one under a ride when the sprint went on (in the Herbie Dyke),” Sharrock said. “It wasn’t run hard, so the back-runners were vulnerable and to her credit she was very good through the line, so I was happy with the run.”
Meanwhile, Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) hero Waisake (NZ) (Zed) will likely return to Trentham next month to round out his preparation in the Listed Lincoln Farms St Leger (2600m).
The Zed gelding has been in impeccable form this time in, culminating in his Wellington Cup victory, and Sharrock said his charge will likely have one more run before being turned out in preparation for loftier targets next season.
“He has done us proud this year and we will probably put the pressure on him with a couple of two-mile races next year,” Sharrock said.
“He is relatively lightly raced, with 23 starts, I just didn’t want to beat him up this year. He will end up in the St Leger and that will probably be his season.”
Looking ahead to the weekend, Sharrock said he has a couple of winning hopes at Otaki on Saturday. “We have got two (rating) 65 horses who will be hard to beat,” he said. “Tavattack will be in the 65 1400m, and blinkers will go on The Lost Boys in the 65 1200m.”
