Islington Lass stepping up to stakes class

[Wandering Eyes]

Islington Lass (NZ) will face the sternest test of her career at Otaki and Allan Sharrock is more than confident Proisir’s daughter can rise to the challenge.

The five-year-old has marched through the grades in double quick time to earn a crack at black-type in Thursday’s Listed TAB ANZAC Mile (1600m) with leading rider Michael McNab to reunite with the mare.

The in-form Islington Lass has an awkward barrier (15) to contend with, but Sharrock is looking skyward for help in negating that potential drawback.

“She has drawn out wide, but the track has had three meetings in the last 25 days and if they get the rain that is predicted they will be getting out to the middle anyway,” he said.

Islington Lass has won five of her eight starts and the booking of McNab is another major plus as he has successfully combined with her on three of those occasions.

He will also be aboard Dresse’ Par Joli (NZ) (Tavistock), whose chances in the Harcourts Otaki Maiden (1600m) have been boosted by a gear addition.

“Blinkers will be on and Tavistocks should have been born with blinkers and it’s worked accordingly, she should be a strong each way play,” Sharrock said.

Meanwhile, gifted Ardrossan filly Sindee (NZ) is in tip-top order for the Gr.3 Inglis Sale Cambridge Breeders’ Stakes (1200m) at Te Rapa on Saturday.

“This will be the end for her and she’ll go to the paddock after Saturday. It would be great to win a Group race for the boys and I couldn’t be happier with her,” Sharrock said.

“She’s come a long way in a short time and taken everything in her stride.”

Sindee was successful in her first two appearances at Wanganui before she ran third at Trentham and then bounced back to winning ways last time out.

“She’s a very, very talented horse and she’s always showed a lot. I’m actually surprised she’s been beaten, but that happens,” Sharrock said.

“We learned a bit more about her after Wellington, she’s done a good job and was very impressive at Te Rapa the other day.”

Sharrock will also have Justaskme (NZ) (No Excuse Needed) and Tavattack (NZ) (Tavistock) in the Gr.3 Manco Easter Handicap (1600m) with the latter tipped as the stable’s best chance.

“Justaskme will take improvement out of the run and his main aim is the Listed weight-for-age mile (Ag Training Stakes, 1600m) on June 1 at Wanganui that he won last year,” Sharrock said.

“That’s probably the only one at the weights that he can win.”

Justaskme was unplaced when resuming at Trentham in the Listed Flying Handicap (1400m), in which Tavattack finished fifth.

“Tavattack gets in with a winnable weight (55kg) and I thought his work on Tuesday was very good,” Sharrock said.

“He let me down at Wellington, but he has improved off the back of that and I think he’s going to be very competitive.”

Stablemates Sumi (NZ) (Atlante) and Bridal Train (NZ) (U S Navy Flag) will also be in action at Te Rapa in the Hutton Contracting Handicap (1400m) and AON Insurances Brokers 3YO (1600m) respectively and considered leading hopes.

“Sumi is tracking well and safely through this will go to the Rotorua Stakes (Gr.3, 1400m) that she ran third in last year,” Sharrock said.

“She is more than capable of winning again on Saturday, she’s gone up a kilo and a-half and that shouldn’t bother her.”

U S Navy Flag’s daughter Bullet Train (NZ) has a win and a pair of runner-up finishes from her four appearances and will be ridden by apprentice Triston Moodley.

“Her run at Matamata last week was great as well, she carried 59.5kg and sat three wide with no cover and had the audacity to run on late for fourth,” Sharrock said.

“She’s looking for a mile and with three kilos off she’ll go around with 52kg and that’s a hell of a difference.”

His other weekend representative will be last-start course and distance winner Tavi Ann (NZ) (Tavistock) in the G Bristol & Sons Handicap (1600m) at Wanganui.

“She has worked well and is up in grade and down in the weights and sometimes they can put two together. Overall, we’ve got a strong team and we should get a prize somewhere,” Sharrock said.

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