Sinarahma prevails in desperate finish to Cuddle Stakes
A well-timed run that saw her thrust her head in front just two strides prior to the winning post ensured rugged mare Sinarahma took victory in the Group 3 Wentwood Grange Cuddle Stakes (1600m) on Saturday.
The Allan Sharrock-trained seven-year-old was given a perfect trip in transit as she tracked race favourite Mai Tai (+320) throughout before peeling off her back early in the run home.
Mai Tai and Samiam Seussie had looked likely to fight out the finish at the 250m, however rider Lisa Allpress was gradually winding up Sinarahma for a final charge, which saw her hit top gear at the 100m and nab Mai Tai right on the post with Samiam Seussie battling on gamely to take third ahead of Les Crayeres.
Sharrock has always held the daughter of Darci Brahma in high regard and was confident of a good showing although he felt she might have been able to win by a greater margin had the race been over 2000m.
“It was a lovely ride although I thought she might have been more confident in winning, but I think she might be crying out for 2000m to be honest,” Sharrock said.
“She did the job and will go to stud next season with three black type wins to her name, which will make her worth a lot of money in the breeding barn.”
Sharrock is keen to step the mare up in distance for the rest of her campaign and has earmarked several middle-distance events for her during the autumn.
“There are a couple of weight-for-age, 2000m fillies and mares’ races that we will have a look at,” he said.
“She had a back issue which the vet at home remedied and she was a very happy mare today, very bouncy and I thought she could win.
“She is a mare that can run sectionals, who’s mother was a great mare too and she is a good horse.”
Bred by Greg Tomlinson (Nearco Stud) and Peter Gillespie (Pee Gee Bloodstock), Sinarahma is a daughter of four-time Group One winner Shez Sinsational, who Sharrock trained to win twelve of her 30 starts and over NZD$1.4 million in prizemoney.
Allpress had been aware of the mare’s tendency to be slow out of the barrier and made sure she bounced her out nicely from an inside barrier draw (2).
“I tried to put it out of my mind as there is nothing worse than missing the kick,” she said.
“She jumped away really well and was probably a fraction handier than she needed to be as it showed when she took so long to wind up.
“She is nice and genuine and Allan Sharrock knows how to get them ready, so it’s always easy when you are on such a decent horse.”
Sinarahma has now won seven of her 31 starts and over NZD$256,000 in prizemoney.