Racing: Interest from Singapore may force O'Borio out

O'Borio has been vetted for sale to Singapore for huge money and trainer Allan Sharrock doesn't care if he's sold or not.

He'd probably prefer that he's not.

O'Borio is emerging as probably New Zealand's finest metric miler and Sharrock would be more than happy to keep him as a flag bearer for his stable for the next year or two.

The classy O'Reilly gelding is topweight for the $30,000 Crombie Lockwood Premier at Manawatu on Saturday and on his form in a similar race at Trentham last start he will take plenty of beating.

"Yeah, sure, I'd like to have him going around for the stable, but the money for owners is big.

"We're waiting for confirmation at the moment - if that goes ahead he won't be starting on Saturday."

O'Borio showed he was a genuine group one horse when he finished strongly into the minor money in the group one Thorndon Mile at Trentham in January, winding up a close second to Macavelli Miss in the group one Thorndon Mile.

"He was vetted Monday morning. We expect to know something either tomorrow or Friday and if it's positive he won't be running.

"As much as you have to sell horses like him when the right overseas money comes through, I'd be very happy if he stays here.

"He'd be a lovely horse for the Kelt Capital Stakes in the spring. He's a very exciting horse."

If O'Borio is not sold he will be set for the $150,000 Easter Handicap (1600m) at Ellerslie on Easter Saturday, April 15.

Sharrock says O'Borio had greatly improved since Trentham.

"I reckon he's six lengths better", in which case his sustained finish will be difficult to contain despite the additional weight this time.

There were good luck and bad luck stories about the barrier draw for the $120,500 Ford Manawatu Sires Produce on Saturday.

Robin, Earl Of Bedford Stakes winner Naturo looks ideally placed coming out of No 5 and Imananabaa is perfect in No 2.

Not so well served is Solvini in No 16, Royal Pericles (No 14) and Chant (No 15).

The fields for the big three races on Saturday:

THE OAKS STUD MANAWATU CLASSIC2.35

$75000, 3yo, 2000m

161224Final Reality m (12) 56(88)221110Congrats d (20) 56(87) A Calder315128Bebekay d (9) 56(85)417212Jowka b (17) 56(82)521191Kingsinga d (11) 56(82) L Innes600822Mick Curtis m (4) 56(82) C Johnson703207Mr Dane (7) 56(79)874101Band Of Colours (16) 56(76)933131Yougotit t (22) 56(76)1053116Derry City d (1) 56(74)1157227Tyson (14) 56(74)1218732Fercertain (13) 56(72) B Herd131325Go Johnny Go (19) 56(72)1473001Flight Fighter (15) 56(70)1529411Arabian Nights d (2) 54.5(76) J Waddell (a)1635X12Altesino b (3) 54.5(72) D Walsh1726471Kiri (18) 54.5(69)1833431The Veep m (21) 56(69)1977671Imshi Tawakel (5) 54.5(69)2089X51Ticket To Freedom d (10) 56(69)2169018Zolata t (6) 54.5(67)2266150Pelagic b (8) 56(67)Emergencies: Kiri, The Veep, Imshi Tawakel, Ticket To Freedom, Zolata, Pelagic

SIRES' PRODUCE STAKES (GROUP I)3.15

$125000, 2yo, 1400m

185811Jokers Wild (9) 55.5(91) J Collett213208Royal Pericles b (14) 55.5(83)3X4754Ifionlyhadtime m (8) 55.5(73)412Richard Beymer b (6) 55.5(73) D Walsh551The One (10) 55.5(72) M Coleman627Cadre Noir (7) 55.5(70) L Innes722339Habana (4) 55.5(69)811722Chant (15) 54.5(86)911Naturo (5) 54.5(84) J Waddell (a)1042121Udiditagain (11) 54.5(79)1134516Solvini (16) 54.5(74)12261Castlebar (1) 54.5(71)13313Slammington (12) 54.5(70) D Bradley143X1Imananabaa (2) 54.5(69) C Lammas1551488Miss Toffelees b (3) 54.5(68) B Herd16273Rapid Rielle b (13) 54.5(58) C Johnson AWAPUNI GOLD CUP (GROUP II)3.55

$80000, wfa, 2000m

11620XIrish Rover tcdm (5) 58(106)204060Distinctly Secret tcd (3) 58(104) J Waddell (a)373356Kerry O'Reilly d (1) 58(103) C Lammas471041King Of Ashford t (8) 58(102) D Bradley510610Pretorius d (6) 58(98) H Tinsley632402Hurrah t (7) 57(103)710416Atapi tm (2) 57(101)880314Madame Shinko td (9) 57(97)964025Tusker d (4) 56(97) D Walsh