Kiwi galloper Sharp N Smart declared himself a major player for A$4 million worth of races in the next 17 days with a win in Sydney today.
The Graeme and Debbie Rogerson-trained gelding picked himself up out of the Warwick Farm mud after looking beaten at the 200m mark to win a head-bobbing finish to the A$500,000 Gloaming Stakes.
The race had been delayed from a rain-soaked Randwick last Saturday and while Graeme Rogerson is adamant Sharp N Smart didn't enjoy the heavy conditions, he overcame that with class.
"He is a good horse and that is what they can do," said Rogerson. "I don't think he likes it wet and I also don't think he is anywhere near the horse he is going to be. He is doing all this on natural ability."
Sharp N Smart had to be good as rider Hugh Bowman used him more than usual early to take the trail but he started to flounder after looking the winner at the top of the straight.