Allan Sharrock continues to be rewarded for the careful handling of his untapped sprinter Lazio, who collected a fourth-consecutive victory in the WRC Life Members 1000 at Trentham on Sunday.
The son of Per Incanto has been lightly-raced by Sharrock, having just his sixth start on Sunday, with five previous appearances resulting in two seconds and three victories in succession.
The market reflected his impeccable record, backing Lazio into $2.30 favouritism ahead of Bold Belle ($6) and Waihaha Falls ($8.40) as the only other runners in single figures, which was accurately emulated in the result.
Carrying just 51kg under Rihaan Goyaram, Lazio gained cover early behind Bold Belle and the pair travelled comfortably through the testing conditions down the chute. The gelding got on terms with Bold Belle on straightening and they eventually broke clear of the remainder of the field at the 100m, fighting out the finish before Lazio proved too strong, taking the contest by a long head with Waihaha Falls a further 1 – ½ lengths back in third.
Sharrock was thrilled with the five-year-old’s performance, particularly in a career limited by soundness issues.
“I’m really proud of him, he’s a gorgeous type of animal and he would be a pin-up boy if he was a model,” Sharrock said.
“With the issues he’s got with his joints, he’s doing a terrific job. While there is a bit of precipitation around, I’ll probably continue this prep, but the first sign of the tracks firming up, he’ll go to the paddock.
“Unfortunately, his body just won’t let him do that, it’s quite sad in a way but I’m very proud of him in another way.
“There’s a Listed race at Te Rapa but the chances of getting an off-track there are probably limited, and if it was firm, there is also an 1100m race at Wellington in a fortnight.
“There’s more chance of rain at this end of the island, so it will all be determined by the weather at this stage.”
Lazio is raced by Luigi Muollo’s Explosive Breeding, who bred the five-year-old alongside Sharrock and Paul Dombroski from Listed winner Madonna Mia. The well-performed race mare has been a star in the broodmare paddock, also producing Group Three placegetter Signora Nera and champion Hong Kong sprinter Lucky Sweynesse.
Madonna Mia, part-owned by Waikato Stud, has been served by Savabeel in the 2024 breeding season.
The victory capped off a successful week for Sharrock, picking up a double at New Plymouth on Friday with Grit and Swingit Our Way, while he was also pleased with the performances of juvenile filly Almakeitgood and Islington Lass, who finished fifth in the Gr.3 Gee and Hickton Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham.
“I was thrilled with her (Almakeitgood), she absolutely hates heavy ground and was dead on her feet at the 300, then had the audacity to pick herself up and get beaten a head,” he said.
“I’m very proud of her efforts and she’d be going close to qualifying for the Karaka Millions, we’ll probably look for another race for her pre-Christmas but I like her, she’s a really nice filly.
“Islington Lass was very brave to run fifth in the Thompson, I was really proud of her too. She went super.”