Racing: Who Shot Thebarman shaping nicely

Matt Cameron, who rode Who Shot Thebarman to victory at Ellerslie, expects to be fit to ride at Te Aroha. PHOTO/APN

Patience has been a key factor in Mark Oulaghan's training success and he's got a typically laid-back approach to Who Shot Thebarman's upcoming Australian venture.

The Awapuni horseman isn't agonising over either a lead-up run into the Sydney Cup at Randwick on April 19 or making a call on a rider.

"He goes over on April 6 and I'm a bit undecided at this stage, but I think he'll possibly go straight into the cup."

Should he decide otherwise, Who Shot Thebarman will step out in the A$300,000 Chairman's Handicap (2600m) on April 12.

Oulaghan is unconcerned the 5-year-old hasn't raced since he won the Auckland Cup and said the gelding had continued to tick over nicely since Ellerslie.

Neither is Oulaghan in any rush to book a jockey for the Sydney Cup bid.

"At this stage it's still up in the air and I think that with the weight he's got there'll be a few of them available so we can be a bit flexible," he said.

Who Shot Thebarman received 52kg when cup weights were first released and a further 2kg for his Auckland Cup win.

He was partnered at Ellerslie by Matt Cameron, who expects to return from injury in time to ride at the group one meeting at Te Aroha on Saturday week.

Raced by the O'Leary brothers Danny, Humphrey, Michael and Shaun, Who Shot Thebarman's entry into the top staying ranks has been swift.

He made a winning debut at Trentham last April as a 4-year-old, was successful at Wellington a month later and completed a lower-grade double during the New Zealand Cup Carnival at Riccarton.

NZ Racing Desk