Sumi ready to challenge for black-type honours

[Wandering Eyes]

Four-year-old mare Sumi will contest the Group 3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park on Saturday. Photo: Race Images PN

Highly regarded four-year-old Sumi is in the right order to add black-type and crown an already successful campaign.

The genuine daughter of Atlante has held her form well this preparation, which will have its finale in the Group 3 Rotorua ITM Stakes (1400m) at Arawa Park on Saturday.

Sumi will head for the paddock after the weight-for-age feature with further stakes opportunities awaiting her on her return.

“She’s more than capable of black-type and she’ll go out win, lose or draw until the spring,” New Plymouth trainer Allan Sharrock said.

“I think a race like the fillies and mares’ one at Hawera (Group 3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes, 1400m) will be right up her alley.

“She’ll get black-type, she’s a pretty smart mare. I did have trouble getting her right, but she is now.”

Sumi has overcome an early mishap to string together a series of creditable performances.

“Earlier in the season, she went under the barrier in a jump-out at Stratford and tore some muscles so it took longer to get her going,” Sharrock said.

She has a victory on a Premier day at Awapuni and three placings from her last five appearances.

“She hasn’t done a thing wrong, apart from when she finished seventh at Hawke’s Bay and that’s when the saddle slipped. She’s pretty smart and can run a sectional,” Sharrock said.

Most recently at Te Rapa, Sumi was caught three wide without cover before she rounded off strongly to finish a close second under Michael McNab, who is currently 31 wins clear of his nearest rival Craig Grylls in his bid to retain the New Zealand Jockeys’ Premiership.

“Michael was keen to stick with her and she has won on wet tracks, although I don’t really know about a heavy one at Rotorua, but she is ready and is very, very well,” Sharrock said.

He is also expecting a bold showing at his local New Plymouth meeting from first-starter Carbonados, a son of Belardo from the family of multiple Group winner Floria, in the Seaton Park 2YO (1200m).

“He’s been pretty straight forward and was impressive at the trials,” Sharrock said of the gelding’s clear-cut win over 850m at Foxton before a break.

“He’s galloped with a couple of open handicappers and worked beside them so he goes well.

“He doesn’t appear fazed by off-ground either, we’re pretty hopeful with him.”

Sharrock’s other representative is the well-performed winter gallop Justaskme, who will be second-up in the Eyezon Security Open (1400m). He was never in the hunt after missing the jump when resuming at Te Rapa at the end of last month.

“He’s come on and there’s no blinkers for Saturday and I’ll back him up a week later in the Listed mile (Rangitkei Gold Cup, 1600m) and probably put them on for that,” Sharrock said.

“They will then definitely go on for the Listed weight-for-age race (AGC Training Stakes, 1600m) at Wanganui a fortnight later.”

The son of No Excuse Needed was runner-up in the event last winter and later in the season also finished second in the Group 1 Livamol Classic (2040m).

Justaskme has won nine of his 29 starts, including the Group 2 Tauranga Stakes (1600m) and the Listed Opunake Cup (1400m).

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