Racing: Sensational plans loom for Sharrock

James McDonald is thoroughly delighted to win the Zabeel Classic at Ellerslie yesterday aboard Shez Sinsational. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Shez Sinsational rammed trainer Allan Sharrock hard against a steel pole while being photographed after winning yesterday's $200,000 Zabeel Classic.

It didn't matter.

By that point Sharrock was bullet proof - group one glory at the New Zealand Herald Summer Carnival had been achieved.

This wasn't just any group one victory, this meant more to Sharrock than any previous win he could remember.

His father Bob, a part owner of Shez Sinsational, had a heart attack on Christmas Eve and Bob's sister Doris was killed in a motor accident in New Plymouth the same day.

The Naki people are extremely proud. This was a win for the Nakians.

James McDonald embraced the moment. His celebratory wave after crossing the line was perhaps his best for 12 months - and he's ridden plenty of winners.

If you think that wave was for getting past joint favourite and pacemaker Veyron in the home straight, it wasn't.

"I knew I was going to run past Veyron, I wasn't worried in the final stages at all," said McDonald.

"But I was worried coming down that straight the first time."

McDonald was referring to Shez Sinsational's No 3 draw working against her. McDonald was pushed down to four back on the inside running rail while his main danger Veyron was working to the lead.

But McDonald produced a peach of a ride from that point. At the 900m, he knew he had to get Shez Sinsational out and going and cleverly pushed out off the inside rail.

He had the mare stoked up and running wide on the bend and quickly had Veyron in his sights.

Sharrock was asked what made Shez Sinsational so good.

"Temperament and toughness. She's got a bomb-proof temperament.

"That's how she got her name. After we galloped her the first time we knew she was something pretty sensational."

They say luck is a fortune in any walk of life - it certainly is in horse racing.

Shez Sinsational has had more than her share of ill fortune.

"I haven't been able to blame James," said Sharrock, "even if I have said the odd word."

Veyron got away with a soft lead, but rider Leith Innes said the damage had been done. "He had to do a lot of work early to get over from the wide gate.

"Those two horses went with him and he was working."

So, could he have beaten the mare from barrier No 1?

"Well, she's won by 1 lengths."

Which is close enough to a no.

Sharrock has always been a dedicated planner.

Now he has achieved his first main seasonal aim, he has sent Shez Sinsational for the ultimate test - the Melbourne Cup.

"I'll run her in the Whakanui Stud at Te Rapa then the Auckland Cup in the hope of qualifying for next year's Melbourne Cup."

With the three Ts covered - talent, temperament and toughness - Shez Sinsational may just be the type to get into the Melbourne Cup, something that is becoming increasingly difficult for New Zealand and Australian horses.

Stephen McKee would love not to run Freedom again before the Karaka Million in five weeks but reckons he may be forced into it.

"I'd really like to take him to the Karaka race without racing again, but he's probably going to need the practice," said McKee after Freedom got home on debut at Ellerslie yesterday.

Freedom showed evidence of greenness that came close to costing him - and punters who made him favourite - the victory.

The O'Reilly colt jumped clearly in front from his rails draw, but was quickly headed and settled fourth for Sam Spratt.

"I didn't want him in front because he jumped and ran in his trials win here and he led up five other horses who didn't know where they were going either," said McKee.

Mai Guru was in front at the 300m and looking likely to win, but probably cost himself victory by edging out towards the centre of the track.

Freedom, closer in, was looking to follow him out, but Sam Spratt managed to bully the colt into forging ahead and he took a narrow win.

Retired trainer Trevor McKee bought Freedom from his breeder Richard Moore. Around the same time, stable client Herbie Dyke had sold his smart 3-year-old Ice Pins to overseas markets and McKee convinced him to take a half share in Freedom as a replacement.

By a group one winner from a group one winner (Captivate) the price of "somewhere around $200,000" was not over the top.

Freedom looks more like a 3-year-old Guineas horse already, rather than a juvenile, and could have a bright future as he ages.

Spratt proved herself to be a good judge on one hand and a dunce on the other.

A week ago Spratt told trainer Stephen McKee to put head gear on Cool Storm for yesterday's $45,000 Hallmark Stud Newmarket Handicap.

"Put a hood or side winkers on her and she'll win," said Spratt.

Spratt was right - wearing side winkers, Cool Storm sat three wide and won, but without Spratt.

"How good is Sam?" said McKee, "She gave me winning advice then took the ride on Viva Roma."

Trudy Thornton landed the Cool Storm mount and had little choice from an outside gate but to sit wide.

The Newmarket has traditionally been a lead-up to the group one Railway on New Year's Day, but the fields have been downgraded in recent years.

"I might run her in the Railway. I'll see how she does," said McKee.

Viva Roma and Sam Spratt finished eighth, 3.4 lengths from the winner.

Visitor Mi Payday took second ahead of the unlucky Aspinal.

Leith Innes got Aspinal a nice trail behind the leaders, but the gap wouldn't come in the home straight.

When it did it required a horse that could sprint quickly. Aspinal is a wind-up horse and did well to run third.