Daylight Robbery (NZ) (Super Seth) has given owner-trainer Gavin Sharrock an exciting ride this season, but it has come to a premature end after the son of Super Seth sustained a muscle strain this week.
Set to contest the Wanganui Insurance Brokers 2YO 1200 on Saturday, for which he was a $3 favourite, Daylight Robbery will now head to the spelling paddock in preparation for a three-year-old preparation.
“He galloped really well on Tuesday and then yesterday (Wednesday) when we went to work him, he was a bit sore in the hindquarter, so he has obviously pulled a muscle,” said Sharrock, who owns the gelding in partnership with Cliff Erb.
“It is gut-wrenching, he galloped so well on Tuesday, and I have never felt so happy with the horse and then the next day you are at the bottom of the heap.”
Purchased for $10,500 out of Waikato Stud’s 2024 New Zealand Bloodstock Online Yearling Sale draft on Gavelhouse.com, Daylight Robbery went on to win one and finish runner-up in two of his first three starts before running seventh in the Karaka Millions 2YO (1200m) and a game fourth behind subsequent Group One winner Return To Conquer in the Gr.3 Matamata Slipper (1200m).
Sharrock was looking forward to stepping him up over ground in the Gr.1 Courtesy Ford Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at the end of the month, believing his charge would appreciate the extra distance.
“We have had a win and a couple of seconds, and in the big races he has been a little bit unlucky. He has been a really nice two-year-old,” Sharrock said.
“I thought he had held third (in the Matamata Slipper) because he fought back again in the last bit, that is why I was looking forward to the Sires’ being 1400m instead of 1200m.
“He was going out after the Sires’ anyway, but he will have to go out early now.”
While pleased with Daylight Robbery’s juvenile performances, Sharrock believes his charge will benefit from time.
“He will be a far better three-year-old,” he said. “What he did as a two-year-old was a bonus.”
