Shez Sinsational (NZ) is a big-game player and she roared back to top form with a stunning victory in the G1 NZ Bloodstock Insurance Spring Classic at Hastings on Saturday.

Although the mare may have failed to impress in three runs back from her Queensland victory in the G2 Hollindale Stakes, those closest to the five year-old  never lost faith.  “I was getting bagged all around the place but we stayed strong and got it right,” Taranaki trainer Allan Sharrock said.  “Her blood was perfect and her work last week was enormous.  I thought she would win.”

What did surprise Sharrock, though, was the manner in which Shez Sinsational put away a competitive field of weight-for-age performers.  The pre-race plan had been to race close to the pace but she settled well back in the field for rider Opie Bosson.  They were widest into the straight and swept down the outside to defeat Guiseppina and He’s Remarkable.

Bosson had been the mare’s regular partner before his riding stint in Singapore saw James McDonald take over and guide Shez Sinsational to victory in the Zabeel Classic, Darci Brahma International and Auckland Cup.

“I did want to go forward but she was flat keeping up,” Bosson said.  “Once we got to the straight and she was balanced up she was too good for them.”

Shez Sinsational (5m Ekraar – Original Sin by Shinko King) is by Linwood Park sire Ekraar (Red Ransom) who was initially under the ownership of Shadwell Farm and shuttled from Italy to Stoney Bridge Stud in NZ.

Her dam Original Sin is a winning half-sister to Shinnecock (Woodborough) who won the LR Wellesley Stakes and two more races after being transferred to Hong Kong.