KEY POINTS:
If Bruxaar is an $8 shot in the $240,000 Levin Classic you'd like to think he could win today's $9000 La Nuova Apparelmaster 1400 at Taranaki.
Bruxaar has had only three race starts for a narrow defeat back in May as a juvenile and two very stylish victories
this preparation.
He will have to make a giant leap to the group one Levin Classic, but trainer Allan Sharrock is relaxed about his chances.
"Yes, I think he's a pretty smart horse or I wouldn't be taking on a race like the Classic," said Sharrock, looking for his next Wahid at yesterday's NZ Bloodstock's Ready To Run sale at Karaka.
Horses heading for a group one race would normally have a wider gap than one week leading in.
"Ideally I would have liked to have run him last week, but this race is 15 minutes from his paddock and it won't take me long to get him over the run," said Sharrock.
All three of Bruxaar's runs have been at 1200m and Sharrock particularly looked for a 1400m race like today's to lead him into next week's 1600m.
The distance rise is not going to be a problem.
"I nominated him for the Derby yesterday because he gives me the impression he'll stay a decent trip.
"He's a very laid back horse who likes to relax.
"He's been ridden close to the speed both times this prep and tomorrow I'd like to see him ridden further back and have a run at them."
That scenario has been assisted with only seven other acceptors and one of those, Hi Yo Wassup, is already scratched.
"I know it's asking a bit lining him up against the older horses, particularly horses like the Georgian who can run pretty smart sectionals, but I rate this horse highly."
They can all get beaten, but Sharrock is already thinking of the hurdle he faces with his 3-year-old in next week's classic.
"The Pooka is the horse we all have to beat - he's the measuring stick.
"I thought he'd be down and out after the Kelt Capital, but he's come back and beat their brains in.
"I know he didn't win the Guineas by a big margin on Saturday, but he was impressive. He's easily the leading 3-year-old so far."
