Gary Harley – Wrap – 04.09.21

Kris Lees was trackside at Newcastle Racecourse on Saturday to witness his enigmatic Blueblood Sammy win his first race in 12 months. Not only did the gelding win, he put 8 ½ lengths between himself and his nearest rival in the Parkview Hotel Orange Class 1 Handicap 1300m. Sammy’s only previous win in ten starts was a Wyong Maiden on September 4, 2020. He is talented but has been frustrating with six placings.

Sammy went to the barriers as the $2.60 favourite with the trainer’s promising apprentice Dylan Gibbons aboard. The teenager allowed Sammy to settle back third last in the field of eight and he remained there until the field entered the home straight. There was plenty of room on the rail and Gibbons drove the favourite up along the rails and he sprinted quickly. Sammy stretched out magnificently to post the longest winning margin at Newcastle in a long time. Lees was impressed.

“That was some win and Sammy showed us what he can do on the day. He will gain confidence from that win and hopefully go on from here. We decided to geld this horse after his last prep which concluded in April.”

“Sammy has had 3 starts as a gelding for a win and two placings.” Lees said.

Sammy’s dam, Samantha Miss, is Lees favourite horse and under his training she won 3 Group 1’s The Champaign Stakes, The Flight Stakes and the VRC Oaks. She was also placed in a Cox Plate.

Another effortless win on the day was by Godolphin filly Speech in the ATS Electrical 3 year-old Maiden Handicap 900m. The daughter of Lohnro was heavily backed into $2.70 and after getting a moderate start she dashed along the rail to share the lead. The filly careered away in the straight to win by 3.21 lengths. It was Speech’s first start and she is above average.

Three of Australia’s leading trainers were successful at Newcastle on Saturday. Chris Waller’s Shameless Miss finished strong to win the opening event, the Active Finance Maiden Plate 1400m. Nature Rock trained by Peter and Paul Snowden was successful in the Tippexc Civil Maiden Plate 900m.

New Zealand bred filly Never Been Kissed was an impressive debut winner at Hawksbury recently for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott then made it two from two when she led throughout to win the Prosperity Advisors Group 1300m.

Photo Credit: https://bradleyphotos.com.au/Home/Index