Rising Star Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) Shines in Champagne

Co-trainer and part-owner Graeme Rogerson is hoping to shoot for the stars with Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood), who lived up to his name in Saturday’s $70,000 Listed Staphanos by Deep Impact Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe.

The talented two-year-old was a brilliant winner in just his second career start, lifting his career earnings to $42,410 with the promise of much more to come. He was bought by Rogerson for $55,000 from Westbury Stud’s draft in Book 2 of Karaka 2021.

A wayward second placegetter on debut at Ruakaka just 10 days earlier, Sharp ‘N’ Smart took a big step up in class on Saturday and an even bigger step forward with his performance.

Ridden by Matthew Cameron, Sharp ‘N’ Smart produced an unstoppable finish from well back in the field, reeling in the last-start Group One placegetter Waitak (NZ) (Proisir) down the Pukekohe straight and collaring him in the final strides.

“I really think a lot of this horse,” Rogerson said. “He is the type that gets you up in the morning.

“He has a tremendous amount of raw ability and is still very green, but you saw a touch of what we think he is capable of in that performance today.

“He is by Redwood, who I think is an underrated sire. I have a couple at home along with this guy, and they have all shown me plenty so far.

“We are going to wait and see how he comes through the race, but if he pulls up well, I think he will be on a plane to Queensland. The target will be the JJ Atkins (Group One, 1600m) over the mile in Brisbane, because he showed today that the mile is no problem for him.

“He could have a lead-up run in the Sires’ Produce Stakes (Group Two, 1400m) a fortnight before the mile, but we will know more once he recovers from this one and we work out a travel plan for him.

“Whatever happens now, I can’t wait to see him as a three-year-old – I think he could be a very special horse in the making.”

Bred by Gerry Harvey, Sharp ‘N’ Smart became the 10th individual stakes winner for Westbury Stud stallion Redwood. Sharp ‘N’ Smart is out of a half-sister to Absalon (Mossman), who won five races including two Listed victories in Brisbane.