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Sharrock pleased with Sinarahma; Sixty ready for international competitors; Tralee Rose on trial for bigger races
Sharrock pleased with Sinarahma
Trainer Allan Sharrock has his team flying at present and the New Plymouth horseman will be well represented at Awapuni on Saturday, in addition to sending quality mare Sinarahma north for the Gr.2 Cal Isuzu Stakes (1600m) at Te Rapa.
The last start Group Two runner-up has the services of Opie Bosson and is rated a $6 second favourite in a market headed by Supera at $2.70.
"For two or three runs early this preparation I couldn't get her travelling how I'd like to, but in the last three weeks she's hardened off, her coat has improved and her work has been phenomenal," Sharrock said.
"Barrier 2 is a little bit of a concern as she has had a tendency of missing the start. She has had a bit of treatment for kissing spine in the last two weeks and I am hoping that will also assist her jumping away.
"If she could find a nice midfield position and it opens up, she will be hard to beat. Supera is clearly the best horse in the race, but that doesn't always work out."
Sixty ready for international competitors
Wary and respectful of world-class opposition, Francis Lui carries a characteristically understated sense of confidence into the Gr.1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) with Golden Sixty at Sha Tin on Sunday.
The New Zealand Bloodstock Ready To Run Sale graduate, who did his early education in Matamata under trainer Graham Richardson, is only the fourth horse to win 10 consecutive races in Hong Kong's professional era – a feat achieved by Silent Witness, Co-Tack and Sunday's adversary Beauty Generation.
Lui believes Golden Sixty is ideally placed to continue his streak against opposition which includes last year's winner Admire Mars and Aidan O'Brien's Order Of Australia.
"I'm confident on the horse but the overseas horses - their form is good. The Japanese horse (Admire Mars) won it last year. The Irish horse (Order Of Australia) won the Breeders' Cup, he has strong form," he said.
"To me and my stable team, it's another record if he can win.
"I'm very happy with his trackwork because he was quite relaxed. He's more relaxed with another horse. If he goes by himself, he's keen in the early part but today he followed the other horse.
"Everything is ready."
Tralee Rose on trial for bigger races
Trainer Symon Wilde believes in-form Tavistock mare Tralee Rose could be a stayer of the future and that is why he regards tomorrow's Flemington assignment as imperative.
Wilde will run Tralee Rose over 2530 metres in the Brew Stayers Trophy on Saturday when she will be trying to take her record to four wins from as many starts this preparation.
Wilde has such a big opinion of her, he is even looking as far ahead as next year's spring carnival.
The Warrnambool trainer said if Tralee Rose could win at Flemington he would aim her at The Andrew Ramsden Stakes in May over 2800 metres, a race which guarantees the winner a start in the Melbourne Cup.
"I think that would be a good target for her. If she runs well that's what I think I'll do," Wilde said.
"I've always thought 2530 metres at Flemington is her go. I think she'll run very well."
Tralee Rose has had one start over a similar distance for a fourth behind Realm Of Flowers in the South Australian Classic at Morphettville when she ran home strongly.
Tralee Rose is unbeaten this campaign, kicking off first-up at Warrnambool and then again scoring second-up at Flemington, both over 1700 metres.
She then went to Sandown Hillside and won narrowly over 1800 metres in a Benchmark 70 race.
Wilde said the margin was not a reflection of the merit of her win.
"It was a day where on-pacers had dominated and she went forward on a strong pace. She showed her ability to hang on and win. It was a great effort," Wilde said.
Wilde said his main concern was whether that run had taken too much out of her.
"I've been happy with her work since and she seems happy in herself so there's no signs it has," he said.
Wilde will also consider running Tralee Rose in the Bagot Handicap on New Year's Day at Flemington, which is also over 2800 metres.
Bred by Sir Patrick & Lady Hogan, Tralee Rose was purchased for $50,000 out of Cambridge Stud's Book 1 draft at the 2018 New Zealand Bloodstock National Yearling sale.
