Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) Off the Canvas in Gloaming

In the five weeks between now and New Zealand Bloodstock’s 2022 Ready to Run Sale at Karaka, a high-profile graduate of last year’s sale is set to fly the flag in Group One races in both Sydney and Melbourne.

Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood), who was offered at the 2021 Ready to Run Sale after selling for $55,000 as a yearling at Karaka 2021, scored an outstanding win in Wednesday’s A$500,000 Group Three Gloaming Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm. From six starts, he has now recorded three wins and two placings, earning over $460,000 in stakes.

Wednesday’s win was the second victory from as many starts as a three-year-old for Sharp ‘N’ Smart, who is now being aimed towards the Group One Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on October 22 and Group One Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington a week later.

Trained by Team Rogerson for a syndicate of owners that includes breeder Gerry Harvey, Sharp ‘N’ Smart showed his talent on both sides of the Tasman as a two-year-old. He won the Listed Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Pukekohe, then headed to Brisbane, where he finished second in the Listed The Phoenix (1500m) and an unlucky fourth in the Group One JJ Atkins (1600m).

Those performances had hinted that Sharp ‘N’ Smart might be a horse to follow this season, and Wednesday’s relentless performance confirmed that beyond any doubt.

The high-class gelding surged to the front at the home turn, but was soon swallowed up by Matcha Latte (Maurice). That rival was travelling the better of the two and clearly took the ascendancy down the straight, but Sharp ‘N’ Smart refused to surrender.

The Kiwi raider gradually drew back alongside Matcha Latte, and the pair locked horns in a head-bobbing duel. Williamsburg (Snitzel) also joined in with a powerful late bid wider out on the track, but Sharp ‘N’ Smart beat them both with a desperate lunge at the line.

“He’s a class horse,” jockey Hugh Bowman said. “The blinkers have certainly made the difference. I rode him in Brisbane in the winter, and he gave me an exceptional feel. It’s no surprise to see him come here and do that.

“Personally I think there is more improvement to come, and I’ll stick with him.”

Graeme and Debbie Rogerson were represented on course on Wednesday by Shannon Doyle, who was thrilled with the performance by the rising star of the stable.

“He just looked like he hit a flat spot, but he fought back and it was a really tough win,” Doyle said. “He obviously knows where the line is. It was a really gutsy effort and a good ride by Hugh.

“The horse has a really laid-back personality about him. The further he goes, the better he’s going to get. He is going to be a nice stayer in the making, without a doubt. Bring on the Spring Champion, and then we’ll hopefully press on to the Derby.”

While buyers missed out on this son of Redwood at last year’s Ready to Run Sale, they will have the opportunity to try to find another Sharp ‘N’ Smart at the 2022 edition at Karaka on November 16 and 17. The catalogue for this year’s Ready to Run Sale features 14 two-year-olds by the Westbury Stud stallion.

Vendor	Karaka 2021: Westbury Stud Ready to Run Sale: Dormello Stud
Purchaser	Karaka 2021: Rogerson Bloodstock (Waikato)
Breeding	Redwood – Queen Margaret
Sale	Lot 612, Karaka 2021 Book 2, $55,000 Lot 255, 2021 Ready to Run Sale, Psd (Res $90,000)
Bred by	G Harvey