By Duane Ranger
Whatever Craig Sharpe is doing in training copy him.
Fifty six days after training his first solo winner with his only horse in training – Rarangi Jewel – Sharpe has notched up his third career win in just 10 starters to the races.
That came in the fourth race at Manawatu last night (Thursday) – the $6,200 Equivet Handicap for the R47-R56 trotters.
Sharpe only starting racing Rarangi Jewel in August after claiming him off Brent Weaver. Since then he has also placed three times giving Sharpe an amazing 0.4222 UDR strike-rate with his only horse in work.
All Up the 9-year-old Earl gelding has now won 11 of his 158 starts, placed 34 times and won $83,082 in stakes.
But the ever modest Sharpe was quick to deflect the praise to the horse, driver Andre Poutama, and fellow Pukekohe horseman, Mattias Hjalmarsson.
“I haven’t had to do much with the horse because he has been racing a lot lately. I’ve just been jogging him so you can’t really put his recent success down to the trainer.
“It’s more Andre. He has driven him in all but one of his races since I got him and is doing a brilliant job. Just like Mattias, who has down all my shoeing – he too has ensured the success. The horse has had feet problems in the past. My boy Dion (7) is also my chief stablehand,” said Sharpe.
“The races have panned out nicely for this horse. He’s no star and is close to meeting his mark now,” he added.
Rarangi Jewel started from 50m behind in last night’s only trotting event on the six-race card.
Poutama got him away nicely from his handicap and they were fifth at the bell the first time. Then with a lap remaining Rarangi Jewel was poised nicely in the one-one.
In the lane they held on by half-a-neck, trotting the 2500m stand in 3:21.2 (mile rate 2:09.4) with final 800m and 400m sprints of 62.7 and 30.7.
The course specialist has now won eight races at Manawatu Raceway. He was the $2.90 favourite.
“It was a nice performance but he got the run to suit. It will be a lot tougher on Saturday when he meets stronger opposition,” said Sharpe.
Sharpe has achieved Group success.
He trained a Group One winner in New Zealand and has had a Group Three triumph in Australia, but those victories were with his former Pukekohe training partner, Todd Macfarlane. They also nailed the Group Three Gold Coast Oaks with Splendour in 2013.
Sharpe and Macfarlane won 80 races from 782 starters, placed 206 times and won $809,327. They won the Group One Harness Jewels 3yo Trotting Ruby in 2012 with Cyclone U Bolt.
Sharpe has been with Ray Green and Lincoln Farms for the last 20 months. He worked for Todd Macfarlane for eight seasons (2008-2015) before working briefly for Lynden Park.
Meanwhile, Rarangi Jewel will face sterner opposition tomorrow (Saturday) on the second day when he comes up against better quality opposition.
“Because there was only one trotting race on Thursday we raced against a few maidens and lower class horses. That won’t be the case on Saturday.
“Master Monarchy is trained on the track and should be hard to beat. Charlemagne is also a quality trotter who will be hard to get past. There’s also a couple of others that worry me,” Sharpe said.
Rarangi Jewel starts from 20m behind tomorrow compared to the two threats Sharpe mentioned who will both start from the 40m handicap.
The feature event – the $8,000 Focus Planning Mobile for the R71-R85 pacers is an even affair as well.
Brainstormer, Kilkeel Lady and On The Razzle all went well on the first day and one one of the trio can win the 2500m mobile.
There were six races and 60 horses nominated foir the first day of the manwatu Harness Racing Club’s meeting on Thursday night. Tomorrow there are seven races and 65 nominations.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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