Special result for Sharrock in Opunake Cup

Media Release - Saturday July 24

Local trainer Allan Sharrock gained a special result on his home track on Saturday to round out a record-breaking season for his New Plymouth-based stable.

Sharrock prepared the quinella in the Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup (1400m) when rider Sam Weatherley guided race favourite Justaskme to victory over gallant mare London Express in an exciting finish to the feature event on the day.

A smiling Sam Weatherley brings Justaskme back to the New Plymouth birdcage after taking out the Listed Powerworx Opunake Cup (1400m) Photo Credit: Race Images – Grant Matthew

Bred and raced by Sharrock in partnership with his brother Bruce, the newly appointed Chief Operating Officer at New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and former Kiwi rugby league international Tony Kemp, Justaskme overcame being hindered by the riderless Mont Ventoux early in the home straight to down his stablemate by two-lengths.

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The win was Sharrock’s 53rd for the season, the highest tally he has achieved in 33 years of training and his seventh black-type success in the last 12 months.

“That was a pretty special victory, winning a black-type race on your home track,” Sharrock said.

“I knew he was pretty spot on for the race and in the end, he was quite dominant.

“He did it the hard way as he had to come around them, which not many did today and he has run to the line well.

“We’ve got the Winter Cup next and the mile there will really suit him as that is his pet distance.”

Although a rising six-year-old, Justaskme was only having his 11th raceday start with Sharrock confident there is more to come for him.

“He’s very lightly raced and I think he will make it as a weight-for-age performer,” he said.

“He is a real genuine type and he was pretty effective on better tracks in his first few runs so he is not just a wet-tracker.

“We did the right thing last year and got the mare in foal to Contributer, which looks a good move now.

“I’m also pleased for my brother Bruce and for Kempy, who is laid up on the couch at home with a knee infection, so I hope he didn’t do any damage cheering him home.”

TAB bookmakers reacted swiftly to the win by installing Justaskme as the $2.60 Fixed Odds favourite for the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on August 7.

Justaskme is the fourth living foal from O’Reilly mare Often, a daughter of Gr.3 NZ St Leger Stakes (2500m) winner Freequent.

Sharrock added another victory to his season’s tally when Penelope Cruise took out the last race of the day for rider Lisa Allpress who registered a winning treble after earlier victories aboard the John Wheeler-trained Zeefa Zed and the Anna Clement-trained Miss Dixie. – NZ Racing Desk

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Race Result - Opunake Cup LR 1400m

New Plymouth Raceway Track: Heavy(11) Time: 1:29.82
1
Justaskme
- 5g No Excuse Needed (GB) x Often (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: S R Weatherley 55
2
2.0
London Express
- 5m Shamexpress (NZ) x London Dream (NZ) (Handsome Ransom (AUS))
Tnr: S A Sharrock Rdr: R H Schofer 57
3
2.4
Rosewood
- 7m Redwood (GB) x Glad Eye (GB) (Giant's Causeway (USA))
Tnr: Ms M Paewai Rdr: Callum Jones 53
4
2.6
Le Sablier
- 6m Tavistock (NZ) x Phillipa Glass (NZ) (Volksraad (GB))
Tnr: Ms K Fursdon Rdr: E H Nicholas 53
5
4.4
Raced Evens
- 4m Zoffany (IRE) x Luscilla (NZ) (Entrepreneur (GB))
Tnr: J Lupton Rdr: A C Goindasamy 53
6
9.7
Spring Tide
- 4g Darci Brahma (NZ) x Spring Fever (NZ) (Traditionally (USA))
Tnr: C A Bambry Rdr: J Parkes 56
7
11.0
Tavis Court
- 5g Tavistock (NZ) x Keep Her Free (NZ) (Keeper (AUS))
Tnr: A M Clement Rdr: C L O'Beirne 58.5
8
13.5
Conor O'Ceirin
- 4g Dial A Prayer (NZ) x Plaything (NZ) (Victory Dance (IRE))
Tnr: K J Rohloff Rdr: L J Allpress 53
9
15.3
Pop Star Princess
- 6m Makfi (GB) x Queen Of Pop (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: F & L Cornege Rdr: J K Riddell 60
10
16.6
Sweet Clementine
- 4m Sweet Orange (USA) x Wealth Star (NZ) (Senor Pete (USA))
Tnr: R D Collett Rdr: T D Thornton 53
11
17.1
Major Tom
- 7g Red Giant (USA) x Letsgoparty (NZ) (Oregon (USA))
Tnr: P & J Brosnan Rdr: K R Hercock 56
12
19.1
Battle Time
- 8g Battle Paint (USA) x Lady Of Oakview (NZ) (Diamond Express (NZ))
Tnr: T & M Carter Rdr: C J Grylls 54.5
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