Graeme Rogerson doesn’t need go too far back in the archive to know Mark Zahra is a big-race rider.
A quick look at the 2023 Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup is enough to confirm that.
And it’s what led the champion trainer and his wife Debbie to book the superstar hoop as they look to plot the downfall of $1.45 favourite Legarto (NZ) (Proisir) in Saturday’s Aotearoa Classic.
Zahra will partner star galloper Sharp ‘N’ Smart (NZ) (Redwood) in the 1600-metre contest, with the pair set to jump from barrier two.
“Mark is, I think, a great big-race rider and I think he’ll suit the horse,” Rogerson said.
“I think he’ll run very well the horse, whether he beats that filly (I’m not sure).”
So how can the Rogersons and Zahra cause a boilover at Ellerslie on Saturday? It seems he’s happy to take advice from just about anyone.
“Have you got an idea how I can beat the favourite? You better tell me,” Rogerson joked with journalists at Wednesday night’s barrier draw.
“You think I should lead or go back? I think tactics will win the race.
“Ryan Elliot come and worked him on Tuesday and I respect Ryan and he thinks he’ll be very competitive.”
Regardless of Saturday’s result, Rogerson said he is excited to step Sharp ‘N’ Smart back up in distance with a trip to Australia planned.
He was runner-up in the 2022 Victoria Derby and finished fourth in the ATC Derby, with a win in the NZ Derby wedged in between.
“He’s got real strong but he’s had a lot of issues,” Rogerson said.
“He got that bacterial virus. My wife’s done a great job getting him back.
“We are looking at maybe the Tancred and maybe even the Sydney Cup or otherwise running in the Queen Elizabeth, depending on what happens here. But it’ll definitely be in Australia.”
