Derby winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart back in winner’s circle after 32-month drought

Sharp N Smart and George Rooke just held on to win a thrilling SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup at Te Rapa. Photo / Kenton Wright

Former New Zealand Derby (2400m) winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart returned to the scene of that 2023 triumph to take out the SkyCity Hamilton Waikato Cup (2400m) in a thrilling three-way finish to the Te Rapa staying feature.

A triple Group 1 winner as a three-year-old, the Team Rogerson-prepared son of Redwood hadn’t been seen in the winner’s enclosure since his Derby triumph, as the now six-year-old took on the best Australasia had to offer on both sides of the Tasman while also enduring injury and illness issues.

A return to form in his current campaign was evident with placings in two of his three most recent starts, including finishing third in the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m), before being less than a length from winner Final Return when finishing fourth in the Group 3 Counties Cup (2100m).

While punters respected his chances on Saturday, the 59kg topweight did put a few people off, but it didn’t bother Sharp ‘N’ Smart, who settled one off the fence behind pacemaker Sagunto and travelled easily throughout for rider George Rooke.

Rooke began to get busy approaching the home bend as The Odyssey swept into contention and the pair went to war shortly after turning for home.

Just as it looked to be a two-horse fight, race favourite Gigi joined in at the 150m and the trio slugged it out to the finish, with Sharp ‘N’ Smart putting his head down to edge Gigi with The Odyssey just a head away in third.

Co-trainer Debbie Rogerson cut an emotional figure as she waited for her charge to return to the birdcage.

“I’m so proud of this horse and the team behind this horse as it has been a great journey,” Rogerson said.

“I set him for this race in my hometown as we just wanted to win it.

“It was a good run and he was tough, a credit to the horse.

“Everyone has been knocking the horse but they don’t know what has been wrong with him. He had an horrific bacterial virus and it took him 12 months to get over it.

“We gave him a good spell and we knew this time in he was getting back to his best, so it might be back to the Melbourne Cup next year.

“We might look at the Queen Elizabeth [Group 3, 2400m] next and then the Auckland Cup [Group 2, 3200m].”

Rooke was also thrilled with how well his mount fought right to the line.

“I knew we had to be more positive today and it has taken me three or four times to get it right with him,” he said.

“He just hit that flat spot about half a mile out and I thought I’d rather commit too soon than not soon enough and he has just out-battled them to be honest.

“When The Odyssey came alongside I was a bit worried but when I fought him off I thought it was going to take a good one to get past him.

“Then I saw Gigi and thought ‘oh no’, but he stuck his head down and got it done.”

Bred by Gerry Harvey, Sharp ‘N’ Smart is out of a half-sister to Absalon, who won five races, including two Listed victories in Brisbane.

He was a $55,000 purchase from Westbury Stud’s draft in Book 2 at Karaka 2021, and was then passed in for $90,000 at the Ready to Run Sale later that year.

He has now won more than $3.44 million in prizemoney from his seven career victories.

– LOVERACING.NZ News Desk