Kenton Wright Race Images
Roger James had a black type plan in place for Sherrif before he made his first appearance at Pukekohe Park on Wednesday.
The Cambridge trainer has a high opinion of the Brendan and Jo Lindsay bred and owned three-year-old who delivered at the first time of asking in the Mount Shop Maiden (1400m).
“I told Brendan and Jo this morning that he’s only had one trial and he had drawn wide and I normally wouldn’t have run,” James said.
“But I counted back from a decent race in six weeks’ time and I had to run him. The race that could kick him off for Brisbane is the Valachi Downs Championship Stakes over 2100m.”
Sherrif settled toward the back of the field on Wednesday and shouldered his way into the clear for jockey Leith Innes 150m from home before powering clear.
“I wanted him ridden quietly, it was a super ride by Leith and he was good enough to win,” James said. “I think he’s got a real future this horse.”
By High Chaparral, Sherrif is out of the Danehill mare J’Adane, also the dam of his Group Three-winning stablemate Von Tunzelman. – NZ Racing Desk.
Sherrif winning the Mount Shop Maiden (1400m) at Pukekohe