Sinsational sets up Aussie Cup campaign

Report: New Zealand, Saturday

Te Rapa: International Stakes (Group 1) 1m2f, turf, 3yo+

A MELBOURNE Cup campaign could be on the line when Saturday's International Stakes winner Shez Sinsational (Allan Sharrock/James McDonald) tackles the Auckland Cup on March 3.

Shez Sinsational outclassed an ordinary field in the Group 1 event at Te Rapa, winning by 3½ lengths from Hold It Harvey and Rock'N'Pop.

The Ekraar mare showed a turn of foot for jockey James McDonald to hit the front off a slow pace and then stamina to clear out in the last 150 metres.

It was her second Group 1 win of the season following the Zabeel Classic in December and only Jimmy Choux, absent from Te Rapa, could rival her among older horses in the New Zealand middle-distance ranks.

Trainer Allan Sharrock confirmed the Auckland Cup on March 7 was her main aim this season and the result in that would determine the rest of her season.

"We're going to and fro whether we go to Brisbane after that, but we'll probably look at the Melbourne Cup if she happened to win the Auckland Cup," he explained.

"But they've got to be good horses to win the Melbourne Cup. It's a dream but it'd be great to have a runner in it."

The Auckland Cup will be Shez Sinsational'sfirst run at the 2m trip but Sharrock is hopeful she can stay the distance.

"I just think the further she goes the better she's going to be," he said. "She just switches off in the race and then she's got electric speedany time you want for 400 metres.

"There's always that question mark at two miles, but we'll see what happens."

Shez Sinsational will have her final lead-up to the Auckland Cup in the Nathans Memorial four days beforehand.