Winter warhorse Justaskme is already a two-time winner of the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m), and New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock is using Saturday’s Valley D’Vine Restaurant Handicap (1400m) at Hastings as a springboard into another shot at the local feature on July 20.
Justaskme won his first Opunake Cup with a two-length victory over his stablemate London Express in 2021.
He finished fourth behind Helena Baby a year later, then triumphed again 12 months ago with a powerful performance under 60kg.
The eight-year-old has kicked off his latest winter campaign in good style, making up eye-catching ground for fifth under 59kg in the Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) and finishing a last-start third in the Listed AGC Training Stakes (1600m) at Wanganui just over a month ago.
“He’s had a little freshen up since Wanganui and has done really well,” Sharrock said.
“This race fits in nicely in his preparation for the Opunake Cup. He needs a run to get him ready for that race.
“I’m probably not expecting him to be overly competitive on Saturday. You don’t have much hope when you’re given 62kg, but that’s life. It helps to take a few kilos off with Elle Sole’s 4kg claim, but that’s also a bit of a disadvantage with this horse because he really needs a senior rider to get him going.”
Sharrock’s Hastings contingent also includes the unbeaten Indian Gold in the Livamol Classic On Sale Now Handicap (1200m).
The three-year-old son of Ocean Park was an impressive maiden winner over the same distance in his only previous start on June 6.
“He’s a nice horse,” Sharrock said.
“He’s second-up here and goes up in weight. It’s a much harder race for him, but I think he’s a fair bit better than a one-win horse.”
Indian Gold also has the pedigree to extend over longer distances than Saturday’s 1200m.
His dam is the High Chaparral mare Chapinta, who won six races up to 2200m, while her half-brother Sangster won a Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m) and Victoria Derby (2500m).
Sharrock’s other runner at Hastings on Saturday is Fleming in the Three Wise Birds Handicap (1200m).
The six-year-old has had just five starts in his stop-start career, but has won twice including a jaw-dropping romp by 13 lengths on debut in 2022.
This will be Fleming’s first start since last September, but he finished second in a trial at Waverley last month.
“I think we’ve got enough work into him,” Sharrock said.
“The track conditions on Saturday will suit him. He’s got a terrible draw (11), which is against him, but he’s working well enough to suggest he can be competitive.”
Sharrock also has three runners at Te Rapa on Saturday and gave a particular push for Bella Timing in the Jack & June Stewart Memorial (1200m).
The daughter of Time Test is a half-sister to Sharrock’s Group 2 winners Tavi Mac and Darci La Bella.
Bella Timing has won once in her five-start career and was a last-start second placegetter at Trentham.
“I really like Bella Timing, who I’d say would be my best chance there this weekend,” Sharrock said.
“She’s absolutely thrived since her last run.”
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