Star Sharp 'n' Smart Returns to Work - Cups Campaign Looms

Media Release - Monday June 10

Hamilton trainers Graeme and Debbie Rogerson have enjoyed welcoming back a number of their stable stars this week ahead of their spring preparations.

Reigning New Zealand Horse of the Year Sharp ‘N’ Smart was part of that contingent, and his trainers are hoping he can return to the form that led him to snaring New Zealand Thoroughbred Racing’s top honour.

Sharp 'N' Smart has returned to Team Rogerson's Hamilton barn ahead of his spring preparation.  Photo: Trish Dunell

“The good horses have all come back in this week, including Sharp ‘N’ Smart,” Graeme Rogerson said.

“He had a viral complaint, and he didn’t quite run up to his best last prep, but he looks magnificent, he has grown into a real horse.”

The Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) was Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s primary objective this season prior to his viral infection, and Rogerson is hoping they can get their multiple Group One winner to Australasia’s most iconic staying race this year, electing to bypass the Hawke’s Bay Spring Carnival.

“We will aim for the Caulfield (Gr.1, 2400m) and Melbourne Cups,” Rogerson said.

“He probably won’t head to Hastings, but we will just play it by ear. He will have a run here in a sprint and then go off to Australia probably.

Advertisement

“If he finds his best form, he is a very good horse. He had four months out and has come back in looking beautiful.”

While Hastings isn’t on the cards for Sharp ‘N’ Smart, it is certainly in the picture for Group Two performer Just As Sharp.

“Just As Sharp will run in the Foxbridge Plate (Gr.2, 1200m) and the Tarzino (Gr.1, 1400m) if he isn’t sold. We will just see what happens,” Rogerson said.

A couple of the stable’s younger brigade also have Rogerson excited about the new season.

“Domain Ace has come back looking enormous, he is going to be running in the Northland Breeders’ Stakes (Gr.3, 1200m),” he said.

“I like a Tarzino filly called Tarzador, who won a trial, and we have got a lot of young untired horses.” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Visit the profile page for REdwood

REdwood in upcoming sales:
Advertisment
More Reading...
Melbourne Cup Dream Alive for Kiwi Stayers
Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) dreams are still alive for connections of Kiwi stayers Mark Twain and Trav.
From FNQ To Sha Tin - Aussie Bred Sprinter Wins G2 Premier Bowl
Some horses arrive in Hong Kong with a very different back story - Fresh from winning the $20million The Everest with Ka Ying Rising, David Hayes was back in the winner’s list at Sha Tin on Sunday when Tomodachi Kokoroe won the Group II Premier Bowl (1200m).
Wootton Bassett and Camelot 2YO Colts Win Final French Group Ones
The last French Group I races of their flat season were run on Sunday and Aidan O’Brien produced the winners of both the Group I Criterium International (1600m) and Group I Criterium de Saint Cloud (1800m).
Rewarding Weekend for Waikato Stud
A double strike at stakes level, a filly with a black-type future and a welcome family success handed Waikato Stud another rewarding weekend.
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.
Sale Cup Winner Adds to Fastnet Rock Super Weekend
It’s been quite the weekend for the late great champion sire Fastnet Rock with a Cox Plate quinella on Saturday and then on Sunday he produced a new stakes-winner when seven year-old gelding El Rocko captured the $200,000 Listed Sale Cup (1600m).
First Winner for King of Comedy
Novara Park Stud stallion King Of Comedy (IRE) is on the board as a sire, with his son Sir Ruby becoming his first winner when victorious over 1300m at Selangor Turf Club in Malaysia on Sunday.
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.
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".
New Cup Goal for Wolfgang
It may not be the Cup target they were aiming for, but Wolfgang put himself firmly into Gr.3 Martin Collins New Zealand Cup (3200m) calculations following his victory in the SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup Prelude (2400m) at Te Rapa on Monday.