New Plymouth-based trainer Allan Sharrock intended to enjoy every moment of the brilliant victory recorded by outstanding two-year-old Wahid in the $500,000 New Zealand Bloodstock Classique at Te Rapa yesterday.
The Sharrock-trained colt came from a sit well off the pace to reel in the leaders effortlessly and clear out
and win by a length over the solid finishing Dower with a further length back to the pace setting Kindacross.
"When you make a living out of training racehorses you soon learn to enjoy the moment when you have a good horse in your stable and I'll be celebrating with friends tonight," said Sharrock.
"He's the best horse I've ever trained and he's only had four race starts and has done everything I've asked of him.
"He showed that much early brilliance and natural ability on the training track that we took him straight to the races without a barrier trial.
"I always thought that Willie Capone was a top two-year-old and speed horse but this fella is something extra special.
"He can run the time over 1200 metres, like 1.8.95 when he won his last start at Trentham. He can also get the trip over a longer distance.
"He will most probably have one more start for the season in the Sires Produce Stakes at Ellerslie next month then he'll head to the paddock for a well-deserved spell. .
"Today we knew there was going to be plenty of early speed in this race so the tactic was to ride him back off the pace and let him run home.
"He really climbed into his work over the last furlong.
"I'm a little disappointed that they dropped the distance of the Sires Produce Stakes at Ellerslie from 1400 metres back to 1200 metres because I think this colt is looking to step up in distance.
"He's going to be a very exciting racehorse to bring back and race as a three-year-old."
- HERALD ON SUNDAY
