New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock is pleased he made a late change to the spring itinerary of Ladies Man, who will now line up in the Gr.2 Gartshore Tauranga Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.
The winner of seven of his 29 starts headed by the Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2040m) at Hastings last year, Ladies Man was originally entered for the Gr.3 Thompson Handicap (1600m) at Trentham on October 27. However, his rating of 105 would have seen him carry 60kg in that event while most of his rivals had 53kg or 54.5kg.
Sharrock eventually decided to scratch the seven-year-old Zed gelding from the Thompson and redirect him to Saturday’s $150,000 feature at Tauranga, which is run under weight-for-age conditions.
“Weight-for-age suits him much better than the Thompson would have under that weight, and especially on a Trentham track that was very heavy and became quite arduous,” the New Plymouth trainer said. “I think we pulled the right rein in the end.
“He won a jump out last week and worked brilliantly on Tuesday. He can cope with a bit of rain, so I won’t be too worried if they get some of that in Tauranga leading into the race.
“Safely through this, we’ll look to step him back up to Group One level for the Captain Cook Stakes (Gr.1, 1600m) and then the Zabeel Classic (Gr.1, 2000m).”
The Captain Cook Stakes is now known as the TAB Mufhasa Classic and will be run at Trentham on December 7, while the Zabeel Classic is back at its traditional home of Ellerslie on Boxing Day after two years at Pukekohe.
Sharrock’s other entry at Tauranga on Saturday is the admirably consistent mare Sumi, who looks well placed to continue her strong run of form in the Laser Plumbing Waihi Beach (1400m).
Sharrock also has a well-credentialled contingent heading to Trentham on Friday, headed by the blue-blooded and highly talented Lazio.
The Per Incanto gelding is a half-brother to elite Hong Kong sprinter Lucky Sweynesse and has shown a glimpse of that family ability in a six-start career to date. He has recorded four wins and two placings, and his wins have come in all of his last four starts.
Lazio was a maiden winner at New Plymouth in early June, then won a Rating 65 at Otaki on June 28, an open handicap at Te Rapa on September 15 and another open handicap at Trentham on October 27.
The five-year-old will attempt to extend his winning sequence to five in Friday’s The Breeze Wellington (1100m), in which Rihaan Goyaram’s 3kg claim will reduce his weight to 55kg.
“He’s a lovely horse,” Sharrock said. “He’s a beautiful animal, a big strong fella. If it hadn’t been for his knee issues, he’d be a Group horse without a shadow of a doubt.
“We’re just managing him the best we can and keeping him on rain-affected tracks. This will be his last run this preparation. I’m hoping he can sign off on a high.
“He’s been terrific since his last start win. He’s pretty straightforward and only wants to please you, even though he sometimes finds it hard. He’s a bit of a character, old George, as we call him. I don’t think we could have him any better heading into the race this week.”
Sharrock’s other runners at Trentham on Friday are promising filly Librero in the JR & N Berkett 3YO (1400m) and last-start winner Swingit Our Way in the Gee & Hickton (2100m).