Sharp 'n' Smart Ready to Rumble

Media Release - Tuesday January 10

A more developed and powerful version of Sharp ‘N’ Smart will be unveiled on Saturday when the top three-year-old resumes at Trentham.

The high-class son of Redwood will open his campaign in the Gr.2 Life Direct Wellington Guineas (1400m) ahead of Group One targets at home and a third trip to Australia where he has already stamped his quality.

Sharp 'n' Smart is headed to Australia in the autumn - image Steve Hart

Sharp ‘N’ Smart looks sure to again prove a handful for his age group rivals and will also be tested against older opposition this preparation.

“He’s certainly a lot stronger now and he galloped this morning and Ryan (Elliot) came in and rode him and he’s going really well,” co-trainer and part-owner Graeme Rogerson said.

“His exhibition gallop at Te Rapa the other day was terrific and I couldn’t be any happier with him.”

Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s versatility will stand him in good stead as far as track conditions go at Trentham, with the gelding a winner on top of the ground and on heavy going.

“I don’t know whether it will be wet or dry, I’d prefer it to be dry, but it doesn’t really matter and class will take him a long way. He’s right where I want him at the moment,” Rogerson said.

“He won the Gloaming Stakes (Gr.3, 1600m) on a heavy track and he won the Spring Champion Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) on a heavy track.”

The gelding ended his spring in Melbourne when runner-up in the VRC Derby (Gr.1, 2500m).

Safely through Saturday, Sharp ‘N’ Smart will make his next appearance against the older horses before he heads offshore.

“We’re looking at running him in the Herbie Dyke Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m) and then the New Zealand Derby (Gr.1, 2400m),” Rogerson said.

Advertisement

“We’ll wait and see what happens on Saturday, but there is the option to go back down to Trentham for the Thorndon Mile (Gr.1, 1600m) or just wait for the Herbie Dyke.

“He’ll then go to Sydney for the ATC Derby (Gr.1, 2400m), that’s our plan at this stage with him and if he has two runs over there the other one will be in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr.1, 2000m).”

Rogerson is also eagerly looking forward to the spring with Sharp ‘N’ Smart.

“Melbourne will be the aim and he’ll run in the Caulfield Cup (Gr.1, 2400m), maybe the Cox Plate (Gr.1, 2040m), and the Melbourne Cup (Gr.1, 3200m),” he said.

“I think he is the ideal horse for the Cups, you can ride him anywhere and, like I say, he’s certainly a lot stronger.

“He’s unlimited and got all the ingredients to be potentially up there with the best three-year-olds I’ve had.”

Bred by Gerry Harvey, Sharp ‘N’ Smart was purchased out of Westbury Stud’s draft at New Zealand Bloodstock’s National Yearling Sale draft by Rogerson for $55,000.

He was reoffered by Dormello Stud at the Ready to Run Sale where he failed to meet his $90,000 reserve and is raced by a syndicate that includes Rogerson and his good friend Harvey.

Sharp ‘N’ Smart will head a team of three at Trentham for Rogerson and wife Debbie with Hanalei Star to contest the Listed IRT Wellesley Stakes (1100m) and Roc Cha runs in the Woodridge Homes Premier (1200m). – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
King’s Legacy Filly Salutes for Yulong
The first stakes-winner for her sire King’s Legacy when winning the Group III SAJC David Coles AM Stakes (1200m) last season, Steel Trap was subsequently purchased by Yulong privately and she posted her first win in their colours at Sandown on Wednesday.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
Westbury Stud Celebrate Producing NZ Horse of the Year, Sharp 'n' Smart
The champagne was flowing at Westbury Stud’s table at the New Zealand Thoroughbred Horse of the Year Awards in Auckland on Sunday night following Sharp ‘N’ Smart being crowned IRT Champion Three-Year-Old of the Year and SENZ Horse of the Year.
Sharp 'n' Smart Returns to Work
Outstanding three-year-old Sharp ‘N’ Smart returned to the Tuhikaramea stables of Graeme and Debbie Rogerson on Friday as he prepares for a lucrative four-year-old season.
Sharp 'n' Smart Ready for Summer Campaign
Former New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart is set to head to Trentham on Saturday to kick-off his summer campaign and ready for a Group One assignment at the Upper Hutt track next month.
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.
Can Rogey Win Cup?
As New Zealand Racing Hall of Fame trainer Graeme Rogerson prepares for his shot at again winning racing's Holy Grail, he has revealed to Trackside: "I'm just lucky to be alive".
Star Sharp 'n' Smart Returns to Work - Cups Campaign Looms
Hamilton trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson have enjoyed welcoming back a number of their stable stars this week ahead of their spring preparations.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.