Allan Sharrock has designs on another feature prize for Islington Lass (NZ) (Proisir) before her season draws to a close, with Saturday’s Wanganui meeting a key lead-in to the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) later this month.
The six-year-old by Proisir continued to add to a phenomenal race-record in the early summer, winning the Gr.3 Manawatu Cup (2300m) over Wolfgang (NZ) (Puccini) and Whangaehu (NZ) (Proisir), a pair who have gone on to win Group races in their own right.
Whangaehu’s victory came in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes (2100m), where Islington Lass finished fifth before heading to the paddock.
“She had three weeks off and worked around the farm for a couple of weeks,” said Allan Sharrock, who trains the mare at New Plymouth.
“She’s come back and had a jump-out at Hawera where she went nicely, I think she’ll need the run on Saturday, but it’ll give us a leg up to the Travis Stakes, that is her first serious goal.
“Taking four kilos off will make it easier for her on Saturday and hopefully she can go a nice race for us.”
Islington Lass will be partnered by Sharrock’s apprentice Sima Mxothwa in the Wanganui-Taranaki Racehorse Owners Association Open (1600m), where she will carry a luxury of 55.5kg as a 99-rated galloper.
Beyond Saturday’s contest, Sharrock will look to Te Rapa on April 26 for the fillies and mares feature, but that will likely be the top of her distance range this preparation.
“The only race that would be an option over that (Manawatu Cup) distance is the Rotorua Cup (Listed), so I think we’ll stay around a mile and 2000m with her,” he said.
“She won’t have many more starts before going out, and we’ll set her for some good targets in the spring again.”
Earlier on the card, well-related filly Shacktime (NZ) (Tivaci) will contest in the Manawatu Thoroughbred Racehorse Owners Association 3YO (1350m). The daughter of Tivaci is a half-sister to Kawi, a former superstar of the Sharrock stable who won seven Group Ones in his career.
While her relation holds a big reputation, Shacktime has earned admirers in the early stages of her career, winning at start two before a big run for fifth behind Archaic Smile at New Plymouth last time out.
“She went awesome last time, she missed the start by seven lengths and produced at the 300 like the winner, then peaked on her run which was understandable,” Sharrock said.
“She’s worked super and is a nice filly too, I’ve got a bit of time for her.
“I expect her to race well, there is a bit of ability in that race but she’ll compete really well.”
The impending rain at Wanganui could have a part to play in Tavi Ann’s chances, with the mare set to take her place in the final event of the day over the middle-distance trip.
“I’m not convinced she’s a 2000m mare, but I am convinced that she likes Wanganui, so it depends on how much rain we get and how arduous that 2000m becomes for her,” Sharrock said.
“There were no 75 miles in the CD that I could see, so we really had no option but to go 2000m.
“Shacktime is in race one and Islington Lass can handle the cut out of the track, I’m just a bit worried about the last race.”
Sharrock also has a pair of runners heading to Waverley on Friday, including a booming last-start maiden winner in El Jaycee. Mxothwa will retain the ride, bringing her impost down to 53kg in the Good Luck Team Wanganui At Halberg Games (1400m).
“I think the application of blinkers made a big difference, she just ran them into the ground,” Sharrock said.
“It’s the same for Waverley by the last race, whether it gets too ardous for her, that’s something we will assess. They will possibly not be getting the rain that we’re getting in New Plymouth, let’s hope not.”
Preferment gelding Smartroad (NZ) (Preferment) is also expected to be among the better chances in the Whangaehu/Humphrey and Fiona O’Leary (2200m), with Lemmy Douglas in the saddle for the highweight contest.
“He went a good race last start and going up in distance, I expect him to be an each-way play as well,” Sharrock said.
