Jason and Jessica Sharp have been knocking on the door of a feature victory at Sydney’s Wentworth Park with classy sisters Junk Food Junkie and Devel Sixteen since early 2020.
The Avalon-based Sharps are hoping it will be a case of third time lucky when Junk Food Junkie contests tonight’s Group 3 Ladies Bracelet Final (520m), race 6 at 7.53pm, where she’s $8 with TAB.
Junk Food Junkie previously qualified for the final of the G1 Peter Mosman Opal last July, while Devel Sixteen was one of the surprise packets of the recent G1 Golden Easter Egg series, running fourth to Tommy Shelby in the final.
Travelling duties on the frequent interstate expeditions are handled by the Sharps’ son Liam, 19, who in addition to chasing Group glory on the road is studying to be a pilot with RMIT.
“I’m usually the one pushing Dad to nominate for these interstate races so that’s probably why I end up doing most of the travelling,” Liam said.
“I enjoy travelling interstate with the dogs. I find winning a Group heat or running in a Group final really exciting, while Mum and Dad prefer to look after things in the kennels.
“When Junk Food Junkie made the Peter Mosman Final last year we had to spend five days in Sydney because the NSW border closed on Tuesday due to COVID. We stayed at a track called Potts Park along with Matt Clark who had two dogs (winner Playlist and Catch The Thief) in the Vic Peters.
“Devel Sixteen was the main one I wanted to bring up for the Bracelet after she went so well in the Easter Egg but she was injured at her last start at Sandown and will be out for a few months.”
Junkie Food Junkie is yet to win in six appearances at Wentworth Park but only went under by the barest of margins in her Bracelet heat, leading everywhere bar the post when beaten a nose by local Pay Call in 29.99sec.
Junk Food Junkie will move from box one to eight for the final, drawn directly outside $3.30 favourite and fastest heat winner (29.73s) Second Exit.
“She’s just cursed with box one,” Liam said.
“She’s had ten starts from box one and hasn’t won, although the track was very wet on the inside last week.
“I think box eight will be alright. Hopefully she’ll get a clear run because there’s nothing on her outside and she has a quick beginner (Second Exit) on her inside.
“I think the seven is probably the one to beat and it might give us a nice cart across.
“But Junk Food Junkie is a leader – she’s not that strong – and if she’s not within a length or two of the leader she won’t make much ground.”
Junk food Junkie takes out a heat of the Geelong Gold Cup last month.
The Sharps also have the second reserve for the Bracelet in Aston Lavinia, which ran third in her heat after blowing the start at her Wentworth Park debut.
If she doesn’t gain a start in the Bracelet, Aston Lavinia will exit box one in the FFA (race 5).
“I think she mistimed the start last week with the boxes being different up there but after jumping out last and pushing into third in a Group heat I was pretty happy with her run,” Liam offered.
“She’s got a good draw and I think she could run 29.60s or 29.70s if the track is good. She’s run 29.31s at Sandown.
“She’s a good chance but she’ll need to get out and go and do everything right because all the other dogs are very experienced at Wentworth Park.”
