Second G1 for Sharp 'n' Smart

Media Release - Saturday February 11

Outstanding three-year-old Sharp ‘N’ Smart overcame a wide run in transit against a quality field of middle distance performers to capture the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa in a performance that had to be seen to be believed.

Ryan Elliot salutes as Sharp ‘N’ Smart takes out the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2400m) with a stunning performance Photo: Trish Dunell

Having just his second start since returning from an Australian Spring campaign that saw him win the Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick before being narrowly beaten in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m), the Team Rogerson-trained runner was sent out a $2.90 favourite, narrowly ahead of fellow three-year-old Wild Night.

Rider Ryan Elliot elected to go forward when the starting gates opened, but in a nightmare scenario  several runners kicked up on his inside which saw him posted four wide around the first bend before settling three wide with cover in midfield.

Forced into the unusual role of pacemaker, Defibrillate set a muddling pace in front before being joined on the point of the home turn by Wild Night, with stablemate Campionessa tracking him through on the inner of Sharp ‘N’ Smart.

Elliot got to work on the son of Redwood and despite the wide run he dug deep to defeat Campionessa by a length with Wild Night shading Defibrillate for third.

Co-trainer Graeme Rogerson has long said he had something special on his hands with Sharp ‘N’ Smart and he was delighted his charge could deliver on that description.

“When he learns to be a racehorse I think I’ve got a good horse,” Rogerson said.

“I think he’s freak as he can run a 600m in 33 seconds and he still gives when you ask him.

“I think next Spring you could see a real good horse.

“I’d love to take him to Hong Kong, but it is the New Zealand Derby (Gr.1, 2400m) next and then the Australian Derby (Gr.1, 2400m).”

Advertisement

Part owner Todd Bawden and co-trainer Debbie Rogerson accompany Sharp ‘N’ Smart to the winners’ enclosure at Te Rapa Photo: Trish Dunell

Elliot was in awe of his mount and was struggling to aptly describe just how good the performance was.

“He is an absolute champion and the best thing about him is that he still has room to improve,” Elliot said.

“He had a tough run at Wellington first up and he really tightened up well for this race.

“I thought they might punch up early so I was able to settle back a little three-wide with cover as he does switch off so well.

“He came off the bridle early and you have to kid a little to him but when that horse came alongside him in the straight he really dug in deep and went through the line very strongly.

“He is up there with the best I’ve ridden and he has so much more to give as he is still mentally weak, so there is a lot more in store for him.”

Bred by Gerry Harvey, Sharp ‘N’ Smart is out of a half-sister to Absalon, who won five races including two Listed victories in Brisbane.

Now the winner of five of his ten starts, with a further four placings, the gelding has won over $2,452,000 in prizemoney.

Sharp ‘N’ Smart was a $55,000 purchase from Westbury Stud’s draft in Book 2 of Karaka 2021, then was passed in for $90,000 at the Ready to Run Sale later that year. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment

Race Result - Herbie Dyke Stakes Gr1 2000m

Te Rapa Track: Good(3) Time: 2:02.51
1
Sharp 'n' Smart
- 3g Redwood (GB) x Queen Margaret (NZ) (Swiss Ace (AUS))
Tnr: Team Rogerson Rdr: R T Elliot 54
2
0.8
Campionessa
- 5m Contributer (IRE) x Bella Carolina (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: O P Bosson 57
3
2.8
Wild Night
- 3g Vanbrugh (AUS) x Supreme (NZ) (Falkirk (NZ))
Tnr: M W Walker Rdr: M J Mc Nab 54
4
2.9
Defibrillate
- 8g Shocking (AUS) x Our Chickaroonie (NZ) (Groom Dancer (USA))
Tnr: G Richardson & R Norvall Rdr: W B Kennedy 59
5
4.9
He's A Doozy
- 5g Zacinto (GB) x The Dewdrop (NZ) (O'Reilly (NZ))
Tnr: Ms L Latta Rdr: K Asano 59
6
5.0
Coventina Bay
- 7m Shamexpress (NZ) x Coventina (NZ) (High Chaparral (IRE))
Tnr: R J Patterson Rdr: C J Grylls 57
7
7.5
Tutukaka
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Meleka Belle (NZ) (Iffraaj (GB))
Tnr: A W Pike Rdr: Jake Bayliss 59
8
8.4
Demonetization
- 8g All Too Hard (AUS) x Midnight Special (AUS) (Zabeel (NZ))
Tnr: N W Tiley Rdr: J K Riddell 59
9
9.3
Justamaiz
- 8g Guillotine (NZ) x Arthena (NZ) (Desert Sun (GB))
Tnr: D G Greene Rdr: S C Spratt 59
10
9.5
Asterix
- 4g Tavistock (NZ) x Mourasana (GB) (Shirocco (GER))
Tnr: L O'Sullivan & A Scott Rdr: C Zackey 59
11
15.1
Cruz Missile
- 3g Savabeel (AUS) x Cruz Control (NZ) (Centaine (AUS))
Tnr: S B Marsh Rdr: V A Colgan 54
More Reading...
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.
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.
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
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".
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
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.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.