Co-trainer Graeme Rogerson is looking forward to stable star Sharp N Smart taking the second step on a journey to the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November when he steps out at Te Rapa on Sunday.
Rogerson, who prepares the son of Redwood in partnership with wife Debbie, has found it hard to keep his enthusiasm in check this season as the former Group 1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner has provided plenty of signals that he is back to the form that saw him claim Group One victories in both New Zealand and across the Tasman during his three-year-old season.
A somewhat disappointing four-year-old campaign signalled to Team Rogerson that not all was right with the horse and he was put aside for a decent break after finishing towards the rear in the Group 1 New Zealand Stakes (2000m) at Ellerslie in March.
An eye-catching trial at Sunday’s venue early last month preceded a campaign opener in the Group 2 Foxbridge Plate (1200m) where he finished near last but put a massive flashing red light on his head as he smoked home over the final 300m after being tailed off by more than six lengths behind the main pack rounding the home bend.
Rogerson had a smile on his face that day and it hasn’t left in the intervening five weeks.
“His run in the Foxbridge was tremendous and his last furlong that day was just amazing,” Rogerson said.
“He was a pretty sick horse during his four-year-old prep and we never saw anywhere near the best of him.
“This time in he has given us plenty of signals he has shaken all that off and he is ready to climb back to the top this spring.
“He has a hell of a weight tomorrow (63.5kgs) with no claim, but in saying that I think he could still win if we get a dry track.
“I think it’s a Soft 7 at the moment but if the rain holds off and we keep getting the wind that track will dry out pretty quick.
“If he did happen to win that would be the end of him in handicap races here though as he would be weighted completely out of it.”
While Rogerson has his attention on the immediate task at hand, he and his wife have mapped out a clear plan for the Melbourne venture.
“He may have one more in New Zealand but he could also go straight to Melbourne as well,” he said.
“The handicapper has told us he is fully qualified for the Melbourne Cup and we are just waiting now to see what sort of weight he gets allocated.
“He is also in the Caulfield Cup (Group 1, 2400m) but he needs to qualify for that, which we will do in one of the lead-up races.
“It’s exciting to be heading over there with a horse like him as we know he can compete at that level.”
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