PERFORMANCE OF THE WEEK

Sharp ‘N’ Smart

It’s hard to deny Sharp ‘N’ Smart the performance of the week by any stretch. Once again, he has proved not only superior but simply too tough. He was presented around the corner as the best horse in the race and sustained a long sprint all the way down the Te Rapa straight. When it looked like ANDALUS was going to challenge him, he found again and was holding him comfortably to the line. It sure is exciting to think of the level he may reach in his career.

RIDE OF THE WEEK

Tegan Newman – Sway Up

Tegan Newman summed things up very early in this race. She knew she was on a horse who lacks the turn of foot of the short-priced favourite and also knew SHE’S A CON would be spotting her a head start so Tegan took SWAY UP straight to the front. Controlling the race throughout, it was at the 600m that Tegan made the race hers. She started to build momentum and opened up a lead of 4 lengths entering the straight. From that point on, the margin was too big for the field to bridge, and it was a matter of keeping SWAY UP going to the line.

HORSES TO FOLLOW 

Race 6 Wingatui, March 4

Miss Ella

Sent forward early as anticipated, MISS ELLA was taken on throughout. She wasn’t able to get a breather or control the race as she likes. Rounding the corner, AVITUS who was in front eye-balling her started to drop out and MISS ELLA then tried to give the field the slip. It was only inside the final 100m that her stable mate was able to slingshot her. We know she is a high-quality mare, and her run suggests there is a nice win in store for her very soon down south.

Race 1 Te Rapa, March 4

Savacat

A maiden having just her 4th start in Rating 65 grade, SAVACAT had to overcome the fact she was racing out of her grade already. Unfortunately for her and Cameron Lammas they were parked three-wide from her wide draw. Cameron sent her forward to improve positions down the back and from there she had to endure a long sweeping run. SAVACAT levelled up to the leaders in the straight, but the effort took its toll, and she was unable to run past them. She was extremely brave and didn’t give ground to the line despite her tough run throughout. It may be an unconventional prep to get her there, but she does hold an Oaks nomination and I would suggest she will go a brave race against her own age group at 2400m.

Race 5 Te Rapa, March 4

Master Brutus

It’s fair to say that MASTER BRUTUS is fast becoming a horse who really does deserve a big race win. He has managed to run in to bad luck and fast horses this prep, denying him stakes success by the short margins. He was caught three-wide throughout on Saturday and was sent around the field to improve spots from the 800m mark. He managed to equal the leaders in the straight, but the effort meant he couldn’t put the race away and as we have seen him do time and again, he fought very hard to the line, going down only a long head. With some luck in running, he undoubtedly has the ability to win a race in this grade.