Racing: Punters shorten the odds for Shez Sinsational

Shez Sinsational. Photo / Supplied

Taranaki trainer Allan Sharrock wants today's Queensland Oaks for his ailing father Bob.

Bob Sharrock, who tutored his son in the skills of training racehorses, part owns Shez Sinsational.

But his current health does not permit him to make the trip to Australia.

"If we can get her over the line it's for dad," said a more-than-hopeful Allan Sharrock yesterday.

And there is a lot of confidence in a lot of different camps - in Australia as well as in New Zealand - that Shez Sinsational can provide her fellow New Zealander in Scarlett Lady with all the opposition she needs.

So much so that the filly's price, without racing in Australia, has steadily tumbled from $16 two weeks ago to $7 yesterday.

Allan Sharrock says he could not have asked for more in Shez Sinsational's preparation since arriving in Queensland. "She could not have had a more perfect prep.

"She's eaten everything and her work has been fabulous."

Even the expected Eagle Farm footing for today has played into Sharrock's hands.

"It will probably come up a good 3 or just a fraction worse, which is what she needs. The track definitely had the dig out of it on Tuesday.

"But we've had good weather since then."

The locals have been impressed with Shez Sinsational, former New Zealand trainer Brian Smith, who misses very little, being among them.

"I walked past Brian at the track this morning and he said: 'Your filly has been working well', so she's been attracting attention."

None of the chances has run today's 2400m trip, but it looks unlikely to be a factor for the two New Zealanders, particularly for Shez Sinsational.

Last start at Taranaki in very wet and testing conditions she was made a fair bit of in running and was still strong on the line, despite being nosed out of the result.

James McDonald rode the winner on that occasion.

Sharrock and Opie Bosson are hoping they can return the favour today.