Lane Sharrock enjoys most satisfying victory of his career

By Jordan Gerrans

The first victory of any trainer's career is always a memorable milestone but for emerging Gold Coast horseman Lane Sharrock, it is the second win of his tenure that brought him the most satisfaction and sense of achievement.

The 27-year-old grabbed the sophomore triumph of his training journey on Saturday afternoon on the Polytrack, which has become the home track of the Victorian-born youngster in recent years. 

A colt by the name of In Motion handed Sharrock the victory on Saturday.

The son of Charge Forward has been with Sharrock for every step of his racing journey.

The rookie trainer purchased him as a $3,000 yearling and he became the first horse Sharrock decided to buy on his own when he stepped out on his own two feet as a trainer.

He recalls being the only bidder on the yearling.

So, to land a win with In Motion at his fifth attempt after the colt had been knocking on the door since his debut run in February, it was a special occasion for Sharrock.

“This one was a little more rewarding than my first winner, having him from day dot and doing everything with him myself,” he said.

Ridden by in-form apprentice hoop Emily Lang, In Motion ate up the ground late in the piece and nabbed the short-priced race favourite in a 1400 metre QTIS Three-Years-Old Maiden Handicap on Saturday.

He hit the line strongly to suggest there is some scope in the emerging colt that there might be a few more wins left in him.

“He is a pretty cool horse to do anything with, we love him here,” the young trainer said.

“It was good to get the result as it was a bit of a relief, he had been knocking on the door running a few good races.

“He was a little bit unlucky a few times and it was great to get the win off the back now.”

The win also became his first in Queensland.

Sharrock has a few options going forward with the colt.

In Motion is four runs into his preparation so he may head for a freshen up, while the trainer is also considering heading to a Class 1 event at Grafton or a Benchmark three-year-old race in the city next month.

He says he feels there is no reason to geld the three-year-old at this stage and he will race on as a colt.

Sharrock’s maiden winner of his training experience came south of the border at Grafton with Baronessa in October of last year.

Baronessa was only in his care for three weeks before he won on that occasion and the mare has since been transferred to the yard of fellow Aquis Park trainer Marcus Wilson.

The Victorian has undertaken an outstanding apprenticeship as a trainer, working for Melbourne Cup-winner Danny O’Brien in Melbourne as well as spending time with Godolphin.

He has been in the Sunshine State for three years and has been under the tutelage of Chris Waller, John Moore and Lee Freedman before most recently joining the expanding Adam Campton barn.

“I have been very lucky to work for some good trainers, I have been blessed in that sense,” Sharrock said.

Sharrock rides much of his own track work with his small team as well as working on a full-time basis for Campton.

“Adam has been amazing to me, he has given me the opportunity to work for his stable as well as having a few boxes of my own,” he said.

“It allows me to do what I do and not many people get opportunities like that.

“Everyone else at Campton’s has helped me out with little bits and pieces, everyone has been fantastic to me.

“Adam gave me the opportunity to have a few stables here and it was a bit of a why not from my perspective around why I wouldn’t go and train on my own and have a crack.”