Rising star Sherrif put up a compelling argument for a trip to Australia with an emphatic performance at Awapuni on Saturday.
The High Chaparral three-year-old stepped out over ground for the first time in Saturday's Gr.3 Higgins Concrete Manawatu Classic (2000m) and showed staying is his game with a hollow victory.
"It was only his third start after one over 1400m and one over a mile so it was very exciting the way he executed today," trainer Roger James' racing manager Robert Wellwood said. "Since we gelded him he's come of age. Hopefully, the sky's the limit for him."
Sherrif's effort will have connections giving serious consideration to the Gr.1 Queensland Derby (2400m) during the winter carnival in Brisbane.
"That's an opportunity obviously, but we'll see how he pulls up first," Wellwood said.
