Michael Rist
A positive first impression was all it took for Taranaki trainer Allan Sharrock to get amongst the early action at Karaka on Friday.
Sharrock was standing near the indoor parade ring when Lot 914, a colt by Shocking from the Haunui Farm draft, made his way into his view.
Out of Carnegie mare Midnight Allyana, the colt features a host of stakes performers in his pedigree including multiple Group One winner Perlin, Karaka Million winner Hardline and Gr.2 Brisbane Cup winner Jetset Lad.
“I looked at him and he just caught my eye,” he said.
“He’s a beautiful mover, very athletic and not a big, slabby type. He looks like he could be a Guineas horse, but we’ve bought him mainly as a Derby prospect.
“I’ve bought some good horses like Woburn and Grout the same way, so I guess in 12 months we’ll see if I’m right this time.”
Sharrock wasn’t the only one to identify the well-credentialed colt as a likely prospect with bids coming thick and fast before being settled in Sharrock’s favour at $100,000.
“I’ve bought him for Ron Stanley and the Stanley family who have been wonderful clients over many years,” he said.
“I looked at Ron when the price started to creep up and he said to me just keep going, we want another Derby winner.”
Stanley and his brother Noel experienced Derby joy when Wahid took out the 2006 running of Ellerslie’s blue riband event. – NZ Racing Desk