Justaskme wins Listed Opunake Cup

Media Release - Saturday July 22

In a performance that had to be seen to be believed, topweight Justaskme produced a sensational late run to claim victory in the feature event at New Plymouth on Saturday, the Listed Sinclair Electrical & Refrigeration Opunake Cup (1400m).

Under the steadier of 60kgs and giving at least 6kgs to his 12 rivals, the Allan Sharrock-trained seven-year-old looked to have no chance when three lengths adrift of the body of the field with just 600m to run.

Bruce and Allan Sharrock with Justaskme, after his sensational victory in the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m) at New Plymouth.  Photo: Peter Rubery (Race Images Palmerston North)

Rider Johnathan Parkes began to get to work on the son of No Excuse Needed who had a full head of steam rounding the home turn, before storming to the front out wide at the 100m and cruising to a threequarters of a length victory.

In a tight tussle for the minor placings Chajaba held on for second ahead of Helena Baby, who tried to make it a three-peat in the event after taking the 2019 and 2022 editions of the race.

Sharrock admitted he had his doubts when the pattern of racing for the day favoured those up on the speed and on the rail, but never wavered in his faith in his charge.

“I’ve had a lot of good horses over the years and had some great wins, but his guy is just a warrior and today was absolutely amazing,” Sharrock said.

“I watched the race on TV in the judicial room with my brother Bruce and we both though he was a bit of forlorn chance at the 600m.

“Parksey told me he gave him a couple of decent slaps at that stage and he just went into overdrive.

“On the corner we were a chance of running in the money and at the 100m it was game over.”

Advertisement

Sharrock will now turn his sights to the Gr.3 Winning Edge Presentations Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton on August 5, where he is confident of another good performance from his charge.

“Unless the handicapper gets carried away, we will be heading to the Winter Cup with a spring in the step,” he said.

“He’s not just a mudder, so if he strikes a track he likes then he is a massive chance to give it a decent shake.

“He has fashioned a tremendous record, especially being out of a mare I trained that I said may have been the slowest I’ve ever had.”

Justaskme is the fourth living foal from O’Reilly mare Often, a daughter of Gr.3 NZ St Leger Stakes (2500m) winner Freequent and is closely related to Sharrock’s outstanding mare I Do who won 15 races including the Gr.1 Makfi Challenge Stakes (1400m) at Hastings.

Bred and raced by Sharrock in partnership with his brother Bruce, Chief Executive Officer at New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing and former Kiwi rugby league international Tony Kemp, Justaskme has now won twelve of his 34 starts and in excess of $460,000 in prizemoney.

The ownership combination made it two from two for the day when promising intermediate galloper Mr Didgeridoo, the younger half-brother to Justaskme, claimed his second win from just three starts in a rating 65 1200m contest one race later. - LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Third Generation Epsom Derby Hero for Coolmore
The Group I Epsom Derby (1m4f) was the big highlight overnight in the UK and the scratching of Godolphin owned favourite Ruling Court due to track condition meant it was an open affair with the second string horse from Ballydoyle in Lambourn coming up trumps and also bringing joy for the Aussie offshoot of his family.
Spritely 7YO Wins G3 Hyperion - 'Loved Again' Does the Trick!
Group One winner Western Empire (Iffraaj) is back in the winner's circle after a frustrating start to this campaign and is now a $3million earner!
Bold Maison Louis Resolute In Queensland Derby
The training partnership of John O’Shea and Tom Charlton continues to flourish as evidenced by a stable quinella in Saturday’s Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) as Maison Louis defeated King Of Thunder in a perfect result for the Sydney trainers.
Group 1 Queensland Oaks For So You Think's You Wahng
With form around some of the best 3yo staying fillies in the country, the Kris Lees trained You Wahng was too strong, winning the $700,000 Group 1 BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) at Eagle Farm.
Inglis Easter Segenhoe Stakes Double
Outstanding mare Joliestar (Zoustar) secured a third career G1 win with a staggering come-from-behind victory in today’s Kingsford Smith Cup at Eagle Farm.
New Stakes-Winner for Snitzel – Stradbroke Possible
The Listed $160,000 BRC Spear Chief Quality (1500m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday delivered a new stakes-winner for champion sire Snitzel with progressive four year-old gelding Transatlantic taking victory as a well backed favourite.
Third Group 1 Victory For Zoustar’s Sensational Joliestar
Cambridge Stud's outstanding Zoustar mare Joliestar was simply sensational, charging late to win the $1m BRC Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm, her third Group 1 victory.
Cosmic Fire a New SW for Cosmic Force
Sunshine Coast trainer Billy Healey was thrilled to have a stakes-winner on a big carnival day at Eagle Farm with his talented Cosmic Force three year-old gelding Cosmic Fire soaring to new heights when taking out the $200,000 Listed BRC Queensland Day Stakes (1200m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 7
Here is the full list of 123 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
First Stakes Success For Zoustar’s Zaszou
Becoming the second stakes winner of the meeting for Widden Stud’s Zoustar, the Philip Stokes trained Zaszou captured the $160,000 Listed BRC Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m) in a photo finish.