Photo: Trish Dunell
Race favourite Sinarahma (Darci Brahma (NZ) x Shez Sinsational (NZ)) signed off her racetrack career with a dominant victory in the Gr.3 Campbell Infrastructure Rotorua Cup (2200m) on Saturday.
The Allan Sharrock-trained Taranaki visitor came into the contest off the back of a last start third behind Two Illicit in the Gr.2 Travis Stakes (2000m) at Te Rapa and carried the luxury weight of just 53.5kgs with topweight Big Mike (61kgs) taking his place in the line-up.
Rider Matthew Cameron, who began his riding career as an apprentice with Sharrock, had the daughter of Darci Brahma away nicely from her inside barrier to travel in midfield against the rail throughout.
Cameron extracted Sinarahma into a challenging position on point of the turn and asked her for her finishing effort shortly after.
Sinarahma bounded to the front and ran away from minor placegetters Roger That and Marietta Lane to win handsomely by just over four lengths.
“That was just fantastic, but some ways a little too late as she has had her last run today,” Sharrock said.
“I would have loved to have given her a chance to get out to 3200m as Matt said she just powered through the line, but her racing career is done now and her next assignment will be meeting a partner in the spring.
“The other special thing about the win was Matt riding her, as when a former apprentice comes back and rewards you with an effort like that, it is just magical.
“I told Matt afterwards it was a ten out of ten ride and he couldn’t have done any better job at all.
“She did look a weight certainty with Big Mike giving her 7.5kgs and it is fantastic she can go out a winner in such a good race.”
Sharrock didn’t have to wait long for a further thrill on the day as Sinarahma’s cousin Our Hail Mary also ended her racing career with an impressive victory over 2100m at Hawera.
A daughter of Ocean Park, Our Hail Mary is out of Ekraar mare Repenting, a full sister to multiple Group One winner Shez Sinsational, the dam of Sinarahma.
“I don’t think I could have asked for a better result with both mares winning on their last day of racing,” Sharrock said.
“Our Hail Mary has also had her issues at times, but she retires with nine wins under her belt including two at stakes level so she has done us proud as well.
“She has a booking to Savabeel in the spring however we haven’t decided who to send Sinarahma to but there is no rush to get that organised.”
Sharrock rounded out his day at Hawera with a win by promising five-year-old stayer Southroad who took out a rating 65 2200m event.
Sharrock believes the son of Shocking could be a Gr.3 Wellington Cup (3200m) contender in the summer and will space his racing over the next six months as he still has some maturing to do. - NZ Racing Desk
