Looking Sharp and Smart for Return

Media Release - Wednesday January 25

Graeme Rogerson believes his talented three-year-old Sharp ‘N’ Smart can give his older opposition a fright in his return to racing at Trentham on Saturday.

Sharp 'n' Smart is ready to return - image Steve Hart

The Tuhikaramea trainer and wife Debbie have set their son of Redwood a stern first-up task in the Gr.1 Harcourts Thorndon Mile (1600m), but all signs are pointing toward a bold showing in the hands of Ryan Elliot.

“He’s been working very well and it’s a good field and a big ask first up against all those proven milers, but I think class will take him a long way,” Graeme Rogerson said.

“He’s developed and is stronger now. It will be interesting and if he can beat La Crique I’ll be very happy.

“He’s going to have to give her a start and a beating at a mile, but he’s got to have a run somewhere to get him ready for a middle distance.

Advertisement

“Ryan has been wasting to ride him for the last week, he must like him to do 54kg.”

Sharp ‘N’ Smart emphasised his quality during the spring when he won the Gr.3 Gloaming Stakes (1600m) and Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) in Sydney and was spelled after finishing runner-up in the Gr.1 VRC Derby (2500m).

He was to have resumed in the Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) before Rogerson was forced to delay the gelding’s return by a fortnight.

“He had a stone bruise that actually burst out on race morning. He had it on the Thursday so I had to go to Plan B,” Rogerson said.

“I had a nomination in for the Thorndon so we’re using it.”

Sharp ‘N’ Smart will also take on the older horses after the Thorndon in the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) before a tilt at the Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m) and a return to Australia.

“He will be having five races and, as long as everything goes right, our aim is to run in the AJC Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) and back him up in the Queen Elizabeth (Gr.1, 2000m),” Rogerson said.

“Hopefully, we will be going back to Melbourne in the spring with him for the Cups.”

Rogerson has tentative plans to campaign up to five stablemates of Sharp ‘N’ Smart in Sydney, including Gr.1 ATC Oaks (2400m) hopeful Savacat. She is a Waikato Stud-bred and raced daughter of Savabeel who has placed in both of her starts to date.

“I’ve got three two-year-olds I might take as well, they are trialling next week and I think they are pretty smart horses,” Rogerson said.

“One (unnamed) is by Savabeel out of Donna Imelda, there’s an Ocean Park horse (He Reigns) and maybe Madam Pennino,” Rogerson said.

By Iffraaj, Madam Pennino was successful last time out at Tauranga and will make her next appearance in Saturday week’s Gr.3 Platinum Homes Taranaki 2YO Classic (1200m).

Rogerson also intends to be active at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale, which opens at Karaka on Sunday.

“I’ll be having a look and I’ll end up with a few. I just want the good horses and to find a couple more like Sharp ‘N’ Smart,” he said. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
$6million Frankel Mare Tops Fasig -Tipton November Sale
The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, billed as the World’s Premier Breeding Stock Event, was held Monday at the company’s Newtown Paddocks in Lexington, Kentucky. Twenty-five offerings sold for $1,000,000 or more, led by a trio of Grade/Group 1 winners with international appeal.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Sires With Winners - Tuesday November 5
Here is the full list of 145 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Coolmore Set Justify Fee for 2025
Coolmore have announced the US fee for Justify in 2025 with the undefeated Triple Crown winner priced at $US250,000 to head  their roster of 16 stallions at Ashford Stud in Kentucky.
El Vencedor wins G3 Balmerino Stakes
El Vencedor is making a habit of picking up major victories at Ellerslie, adding the Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2000m) to his burgeoning record at Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup Day meeting.
Sires With Winners - Monday November 4
Here is the full list of 21 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Antrim Coast to Fly Flag for The Oaks Stud
The well-renowned colours of The Oaks Stud will feature across two feature Trans-Tasman meetings this week, kicking off with Antrim Coast lining up in the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) on Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.