Rogerson raring to go with star galloper

Media Release - Sunday August 27

Graeme Rogerson can’t wait to tackle spring racing with his star galloper Sharp ‘N’ Smart following his pleasing exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.

The multiple Group One winner is resuming from a standout three-year-old term where he won the Gr.1 Herbie Dyke Stakes (2000m), Gr.1 New Zealand Derby (2400m), Gr.1 Spring Champion Stakes (2000m), and Gr.2 Gloaming Stakes (1600m).

Multiple Group One winner Sharp 'N' Smart. Photo: Trish Dunell

The son of Redwood was also runner-up in the Gr.1 Victoria Derby (2500m), Gr.1 Thorndon Mile (1600), and finished fourth in the Gr.1 Australian Derby (2400m).

“He is the winner of $3 million and his record his unbelievable. If he hadn’t had struck wet tracks, what would his record be?” said Rogerson, who trains with his wife Debbie.

Rogerson was pleased with his gelding’s hit-out on Saturday and believes he has returned a stronger animal.

“He is going as good as he has gone and probably better. He is a lot stronger now and he has a great campaign ahead of him. I haven’t had a horse that can do what he is doing,” Rogerson said.

The Hamilton trainer is eyeing at least the first two legs of the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival with Sharp ‘N’ Smart, which may extend to tackling the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) if they choose a Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) route toward the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Advertisement

“As long as it is not a Heavy10 he will go to the Tarzino (Gr.1, 1400m) and then he will go to the Arrowfield (Gr.1, 1600m),” Rogerson said.

“Hughy Bowman (jockey) desperately wants us to run him in the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.

“I was leaning toward the Caulfield Cup (Gr.1, 2400m) but Debbie and Hughy seem to be wanting to go the other way. If he goes the other way he may run in the Livamol and even the $5 million race (King Charles III Stakes, 1600m) in Sydney and then the Cox Plate.”

Rogerson is looking forward to kicking off Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s campaign in the Tarzino Trophy at Hastings on September 9 and believes he will be very competitive over 1400m.

“Every time you ask him for a bit more he gives it. He has won at 1400m at Ruakaka without much effort. He will be very competitive,” he said.

“He is a Group One horse and it is good for Hastings that he is there. He will definitely go back on the 30th, I just hope that we get a Good track. If we get a Good track, you will see some horse.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
New kids on the block add fresh blood to Vibrant Victorian breeding scene
With 11 new stallions standing in Victoria this coming breeding season, including the winners of three Group 1 races on their ‘home’ soil, the short and long-term future looks increasingly bright for the state’s vibrant industry. 
Vale, Joe Yorke
The racing industry has lost one of its more colourful characters with the passing of Joe Yorke on Sunday.
G1 Older Milers and Stayers- No Wonder Owners Look Overseas
The Australian G1 season has concluded and there were 26 Group I races won by older horses at a distance of 1600m or more and they were won by 17 different horses with Via Sistina (IRE) and Mr Brightside (NZ) the only horses to win G1 races as sprinters (less than 1600m) and also as mile/middle distance/staying horses.
Istataba adds international flavour to National Online Breeding Stock Sale
Buyers can currently bid on 11 stakes-performed mares in the National Online Breeding Stock Sale on Gavelhouse Plus, including one that brings South American bloodlines and Singaporean racetrack performance.
Many Pedigree Paths Lead to Helen Street
Jane Henning of Pedigree Dynamics offers her thoughts on an Irish Oaks winner that has become a remarkable producer and is now emerging as a great candidate for line breeding.
G1 3YOs - Where the Real Action Is
2YO racing might garner a lot of attention, but the reality is G1 races run for this age group are shining a light on a comparatively small slice of that foal crop, whereas 3YO racing is where the real action lies as the good horses from the season before have to step up or slide out of contention.
G1 Older Sprinters- Are Our Sprinters the Best in the World?
The Australian G1 season has concluded and there were 23 Group I races won by older horses at a distance less than 1600m, but one race that fits the category but is yet to be given G1 status is the $10million Golden Eagle (1500m) and form out of it would suggest it was the best of them all.
Kiwi Innovator Recognized
Emma Thompson was stepping into the unknown when taking on the role as Programme Lead for the NZB Kiwi, and after executing an outstanding inaugural running in March, she was recognised at Entain’s Industry Excellence Awards.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday July 1
Here is the full list of 8 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Levakia Adds to Good Week for Curraghmore
Emerging filly Levakia has given Curraghmore further cause for celebration.