Allan Sharrock will chase black-type at two venues this week with family members of one of his best racehorses, Shez Sinsational.
The Taranaki trainer produced Shez Sinsational for Group One wins in the Spring Classic (2040m) at Hastings, International Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa, Zabeel Classic (2000m) and Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie, as well as a host of other top-level performances, including placings in both the Queensland Oaks (2400m) and Queensland Derby (2400m) and a Gr.2 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) win at the Gold Coast.
Sharrock will attempt to enhance the value of two close relations when Sinarahma tackles the Gr.3 Property Brokers Arohanui Hospice Manawatu Breeders Stakes (2000m) at Awapuni on Friday and Our Hail Mary contests the Listed NZB Airfreight Stakes (1600m) at Riccarton on Saturday.
"If they could both get black-type and both being from the good mare's family, then they become very valuable broodmare prospects," Sharrock said.
"They are both going well. We've got Johnathan Parkes on both and we are happy to have him on too."
Sinarahma, a daughter of Darci Brahma and Shez Sinsational, has won two of her seven starts and Sharrock is looking forward to her stepping up to 2000m for the first time.
"Parkesy has been telling me she needs more distance and Leith (Innes, jockey) got off the other day and said 'don't worry that she didn't win, she was strong to the line'," Sharrock said.
"She was going nowhere in that race at Tauranga and it looked like she was going to run last but at the line she was doing the best work of her race. Looking at this field, I don't think she's out of her depth. She's drawn five so she'll take up a good position and hopefully she'll be strong to the line."
Last-start Gr.3 Cuddle Stakes (1600m) runner-up Jessiegee heads the TAB's final field market at $5.50 with Sinarahma on the fourth line of betting at $10.
At Riccarton, Our Hail Mary, an Ocean Park filly out of Shez Sinsational's sister Repenting, is an $8 third favourite behind last-start Gr.2 Wellington Guineas (1400m) winner Emily Margaret ($2.60) and Secret Allure ($4.40) in betting.
"We're rapt with her. She ripped her hoof and we had to bond it up last start but she's run the second-quickest last 600m of the race," Sharrock said.
"She's worked enormous since but we've drawn 14 out of 14. We've put the blinkers on to combat her greenness and she looks well-placed in that field. With half an ounce of luck in running, she's got to be competitive."
Sharrock said it was his intention to spell Our Hail Mary after Saturday's race unless her performance convinced him to tackle the Listed New Zealand Bloodstock Warstep Stakes (2000m) at Riccarton a week later.
"The family all stays so I've got no concerns with 2000m but at this stage I'm thinking paddock," he said. - NZ Racing Desk
