Written by Paul Vettise
Group 1 winner Ladies First (Dylan Thomas {Ire}) opens her build-up toward a return trip to Australia at Tauherenikau on Wednesday and while trainer Allan Sharrock isn’t expecting first-up fireworks, he wouldn’t be surprised if sparks do fly.
The reigning Auckland Cup champion will resume off a break in the Listed Property Brokers Wairarapa Thoroughbred Breeders’ S. and the conditions of the 1600 metre contest are very much in her favour.
“She’s the top rated horse in the race and it’s weight-for-age,” Sharrock said. “She’s a pretty good mare and it would be no surprise to see her top five.
Ladies First
“I’m very happy with her general condition and she’s had one jump-out. I’ve left her as fresh as I can and I’m sure she’ll race well.”
“I’ve left her as fresh as I can and I’m sure she’ll race well.” – Allan Sharrock.
An NZ$8000 Karaka purchase for Humphrey and Fiona O’Leary, Ladies First won’t be at Ellerslie to defend her Auckland Cup title with the autumn focus on Group 1 honours across the Tasman.
“We didn’t even nominate her – we want to get to the Sydney Cup and throw all our eggs in one basket,” Sharrock said.
“After Wednesday, the only logical race to go to is the Group 1 weight-for-age mile at Otaki (Hanui Farm Classic) and then run her over ground.
“Once she’s in Sydney, she’ll have a run the week before the Cup in the Chairman’s H.”
“We didn’t even nominate her – we want to get to the Sydney Cup and throw all our eggs in one basket.” – Allan Sharrock.
Ladies First performed creditably in a two-start Melbourne spring campaign, finishing eighth under Michael Walker in the G2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup and fifth in the G3 Lexus S. at Flemington with Michael Dee in the saddle.
Trainer Allan Sharrock
“She raced well and Mickey said she never handled Moonee Valley a yard,” Sharrock said.
“Had she got clear earlier in the Lexus she could have run third and the winner (Prince Of Arran) came out and ran third in the Melbourne Cup on a wet track.
“Generally speaking, mares are better in the autumn.” – Allan Sharrock.
“We weren’t a mile off them and we hadn’t raced her in the spring before, she’ll be a better mare in the autumn.
“She was heavily in season the day of the Moonee Valley Cup, but all that’s behind us now. Generally speaking, mares are better in the autumn.”
Sharrock was also delighted to secure Ladies First’s half-brother by Zed (NZ) offered by Grangewilliam Stud for NZ$60,000 during the Book 2 sale at Karaka. They are out of the Dehere (USA) mare Just Polite whose eight career wins featured the G3 Kingston Town S.
Zed
“He looks exactly like a Zabeel and I reckon we might have a Derby horse.” - Allan Sharrock.
The O’Leary family have taken a 50 per cent stake in the colt with long-time stable clients Noel and Ron Stanley taking 40 per cent and Sharrock and his partner Emma Davies have 10 per cent.
“He’s the nicest Zed I’ve ever seen. He looks exactly like a Zabeel and I reckon we might have a Derby horse,” Sharrock said.
“The Zeds are tough and he’s more handsome than his half-sister.”
