‘Shocking day’: Sharp ‘N’ Smart faces uncertain future after wet track howler

Legendary trainer Graeme Rogerson is rarely stumped in life but admits he has no idea what to do with Group 1 winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart following his wet track shocker on Saturday.

Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s spring campaign is up in the air following a wet track shocker in New Zealand on Saturday. Picture: Bradleyphotos.com.au

Multiple Group 1 winner Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s spring aspirations hang in the balance after a wet track shocker in New Zealand.

Legendary trainer Graeme Rogerson admits he is at a loss to work out what happened to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup fancy, saying a vet check this week will be pivotal.

The three-time Group 1 winner was a long last in Saturday’s Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate at Hastings despite being second favourite, with Rogerson declaring he doesn’t know what to do with the horse.

“He will get vetted again, he has been galloping around his paddock today, so I don’t know,” Rogerson said.

“We couldn’t find anything wrong with him after the race, he had a couple of strides at the half mile and pulled up.

“Everything is up in the air until we sit down and do a round table.

“He doesn’t like it heavy, but he has always run a race. We rode him back and when he went to make his move, he went a few yards and just wouldn’t go.

“It was a shocking day, it was real heavy, more than just wet, and very shifty.

“He looks good, but everything is up in the air. Everyone is asking me what he is doing and I just said ‘he’s not doing anything.’

“His recovery rate was unreal after the race.”

Rogerson, who trains in partnership with his wife Debbie, had planned a Melbourne Cup assault with Sharp ‘N’ Smart, having also committed to taking him to Hong Kong in December for the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m).

Originally published as ‘Shocking day’: Sharp ‘N’ Smart faces uncertain future after wet track howler