Rarely do you associate class with horses wallowing in mud in July, but Sharif looks like he might have a touch of it.
And it will make him extremely difficult to head off in Race 5 at Te Rapa today.
Sharif did not beat a great field when he ran away with a maiden race at Trentham a couple of weeks back and an-almost better effort was when he finished third on debut at Ellerslie in June.
The track that day was as testing as you would find and right against a horse with a touch of ability having its first start. He fought bravely in the circumstances and backed that talent level up with his Wellington win. He has natural speed, which may not be the most essential quality to cope with today's debilitating conditions, but the footing should be loose and that will help.
If you are working on suitable factors, My Willie Montague (No1, R8) looks your best bet. He was unlucky under 58kg at Avondale last start, is a course winner, is dropping a class and also dropping 2kg. His form is very solid and he will not be affected regardless of how testing the track becomes.
Chase Alida (No2, R7) represents better class than most of the runners in the Taumarunui Cup. Coming off a two-week break in the paddock is generally not ideal for this type of racing in such dour conditions, but Chase Alida was very fit when he took his break and his connections are adamant he is working like a horse fit enough for the occasion. There are plenty of chances with Velodium (No14), St Petrus (No4), Master Pom (No8) and Dollars 'N Gold (No3) all rating winning prospects.
If Cousteau (No1, R2) is in the same condition that saw him win a fresh-up Otaki event last month he will take plenty of beating in the juvenile. He went strongly to the finish that day and that will be important this time.
Give Soroya (No1, R6) another chance. Her wet track form is pretty solid and the easy footing when she failed at Matamata last start may not have been ideal. Two starts back she was narrowly beaten on this track by Promise Keeper. Toute Suite (No2) is the improver.
The Hawtin/Rogerson stable may as well finish off its premiership-winning season in style with a win from Tai Hape (No1, R9). His form has been very solid, he gets to the line very strongly and should give Opie Bosson a lovely ride. What beats him should win. The value runner could be Exploding Song (No11). Her last start failure was at Ruakaka, but any of the beaten form that day can be excused, and her previous form was sound.
Michael Collins (No3, R10) was another Ruakaka dud, but forget that effort. His form before that was excellent and he won on this track in May. Mr Barrymore (No1) chased Jolly Rodger home in a much stronger field than this last start at Matamata, form good enough to suggest he can win here.
Te Rapa value runners are Rule The Waves (No7, R8), Dollars 'N Gold (No3, R7), Solar Shower (No8, R6) and Stark Harbour (No4, R4).
Nothing Lika Tango (No5, R9) is worth a look in the Opunake Cup. He could not quite finish off his effort when fourth at New Plymouth last start, but that was only his second start this campaign he is a bit older now and may be further improved by it.
Takanini jockey Matthew Williamson will be sidelined for at least a month after breaking a foot at the Te Awamutu trials on Thursday.
His replacement rides at Te Rapa today are: Race 2, Kursadasi, Opie Bosson Race 3, He's Standing, Opie Bosson Race 7, His Destiny, Rachael Tunnell Race 8, Hayjay, Mark Du Plessis With the scratching of Golden Flare, Smiling Like re-enters the field for the Taumarunui Cup and will be ridden by Allan Peard.
Racing: Sharif has look of class, even wallowing in mud
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