Sharrock keeping an eye on SH3 road closure
Allan Sharrock is keeping a close eye on State Highway 3 road reports ahead of the weekend, with the Taranaki trainer set to take three horses north to compete at Te Rapa on Saturday.
A critical section of the highway in the Awakino Gorge has been closed since April 18 following major slips and flooding, and it is expected to remain closed until at least Saturday, with Sharrock having his fingers crossed that there are no further delays.
“I just hope the road is open so we can get up there, they are talking Saturday, so let’s hope so,” Sharrock said.
His trio of Te Rapa representatives include Tisse and Bridal Train, who are set to contest the PGG Wrightson Grain Mile (1600m), with Sharrock using the race as a lead in to next month’s Listed Rangitikei Gold Cup (1600m) at Otaki.
Four-win mare Tisse will head into Saturday in a fresh state, having last raced over 2200m at Ellerslie in January, while Bridal Train has been in solid form, placing in her last three starts, including the Gr.3 Taranaki Cup (1800m).
“Bridal Train is probably the more potent of the two at this stage and she is looking at the Rangitikei Gold Cup after this and so is Tisse,” Sharrock said.
Sharrock will also line-up El Jaycee in the Shell & Cosgrave 1400, with the El Roca mare also heading into Saturday in great form, having won two and placed in two of her last five starts.
“El Jaycee never fails to just click along and gallop so we will see how we go,” Sharrock said.
Stablemate Shacktime was also down to compete in the same race, however, after drawing barrier 15, Sharrock has elected to save the daughter of Tivaci for another week.
“They have put a (rating) 75 1200m on at Waverley (the following Saturday), so she will be reserved there, she had a bad draw anyway, so we can wait with her,” Sharrock said.
Bred by Christine and John Goodin, Shacktime is a half-sister to their multiple Group One winner Kawi, and the Taranaki couple race the mare in partnership with Waikato Stud, who stood her sire.
“She is a good mare,” Sharrock said. “She is a half-sister to Kawi, so she has got some residual value as a broodmare and she is a lovely type.”
Meanwhile, Sharrock is heading into the weekend in winning form following Sindee’s win in the Les Webster Memorial (1200m) at Woodville on Wednesday.
“She has always been a tidy mare, just certain little things have let her down with her body,” Sharrock said. “It was a winnable race for her.
“She will now probably carry on to Otaki where there is a race for her in a fortnight. She doesn’t go on wet ground, so we will take the best out of a nice autumn and then put her aside.”
