Tisse primed for Taumarunui Gold Cup target
Talented Taranaki galloper Tisse (NZ) (Belardo) will lead the charge for the Central Districts in Saturday’s Paul McGlade Taumaranui Gold Cup (2200m) at Te Rapa.
The son of Belardo featured in the winner’s circle at the Waikato course two starts back over a mile, before running a creditable sixth over 2200m at Waverley when carrying the clear topweight.
Satisfied with that performance, his trainer Allan Sharrock is looking forward to returning to Te Rapa for a targeted race worth $100,000.
“He carried 60kg (at Waverley) and everything else carried 54kg, and it was a funnily run race where they dawdled around to the 1000m then took off,” he said. “He was good through the line and one of the last to pull up.
“He’s trained on the right way, and the target race was always Saturday’s one, so I’m happy with the way we’re going.
“I think the distance won’t be an issue, he’s very comfortable at Te Rapa which gives me a positive and I think he’s in the right race at the right weight.
“Hopefully we can kick a goal.”
Joining Tisse on the trip north will be an improving Eizus (NZ) (Sweynesse) in the Bob and Colleen Donaldson Memorial (1600m), and Explosive Impact (NZ) (Staphanos) in the King Brown Shearing Mile (1600m).
“Her (Eizus) run at Waverley was probably the most creditable out of the race, she came from a fair way back that day to run third,” Sharrock said.
“She galloped well on Tuesday, George Rooke (jockey) is in form, she’s got to be a strong each-way play.
“Explosive Impact didn’t have any luck first up, she just got too far back but closed the race off well. I think up to the mile with George on is a positive, the inside draw may not be late in the day, but we’ll see how the track is playing.”
Sharrock will also have representatives at Waverley on Friday and Otaki on Saturday, with promising three-year-old Bridie (NZ) (Ocean Park) amongst these at the latter.
The daughter of Ocean Park hasn’t been out of the first three in all four starts, and will aim to turn the tables on Belles Boom (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) after he had the upper hand last start at Hawera.
“She’s a really tenacious mare, this time next year she’ll be a bit of quality,” Sharrock said.
“She’ll hit the line strongly over a mile on Saturday and the wetter track will bring her further into play than the one she struck at Hawera.
“Her work on Tuesday was very good as well, so I expect her to be pretty competitive in the first at Otaki (Support Training At The Levin Track Three-Year-Old, 1600m).”
At Waverley, Sharrock is hopeful for a breakthrough win from ultra-consistent maidener Ena Sharples (NZ) (Ena Sharples) in the Corzon Maize (1400m), while also mentioning Johnny Neil Building (2200m) contender Dresse’ Par Joli.
“Ena Sharples is working well enough to win this time, and Dresse’ Par Joli (NZ) (Tavistock), she’s finally up to a distance that suits her and with 54 kilos, she might be a nice each-way chance at Waverley as well,” he said.
