Fastnet Rock 3YO Wins Hawkesbury Guineas

Tara Madgwick - Saturday April 28
Gelding might be the making of talented Fastnet Rock three year-old Sambro, who finally delivered an overdue stakes victory when taking out the $200,000 Group III Hawkesbury Guineas on Saturday.



Prepared by Chris Waller, Sambro broke his maiden in good style in May last year but had been winless since then despite placing several Black Type events.

SambroOften tricky in the gates, Sambro (images Steve Hart)  had the use of a barrier blindfold that allowed him to start on terms and he surged clear at the finish to win the 1400 metre contest by a long neck.

Stable representative Charlie Duckworth was relieved gear changes finally seem to have calmed Sambro in the stalls.

"He's got no malice in him, he's just playing because he was just a child. He'd put a foot up in the barriers and get scratched," he said.

"He's finally come of age and worked it all out. His barrier manners have improved enormously now he's got the right head gear on.

"He would have won a lot more than two by now if that had been the case a year ago."

Sambro was a $420,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Baramul Stud draft for Chris Waller Racing and runs for a syndicate of stable clients. His overall record reads two wins and seven placings from 15 starts with prizemoney topping $256,000.

He is the third winner from stakes-placed Encosta de Lago mare Eau de Joie, a half-sister to Golden Slipper winner Polar Success. She died in 2016 and has just one more two year-old filly to race, Les Amoureux, a daughter of Redoute's Choice.

Sambro is the 136th stakes-winner for champion sire Fastnet Rock.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Highview Announce Unreserved Deplenishing Sale On-Farm
Longstanding vendors Highview who have been selling yearlings since 1986, have announced the staging of an Unreserved Deplenishing Sale at its Hamilton property on Sunday 15 March 2026. 
Sires With Winners - Wednesday February 4
Here is the full list of 46 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$240,000 Night of Thunder Mare Mount Bona Tops Inglis Digital
Mount Bona (Night of Thunder) – a winner of her past three starts for Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich – topped today’s Inglis Digital February (Early) Online Sale, realising $240,000.
Darci Brahma Filly Primed for Oaks Lead Up
Tajana is coming toward the sharp end of her season and co-trainer Shaune Ritchie is well-qualified to rate her chances of ending it on a high.
Affordable G1 Success – Rheinwood Pastoral Delivers
Not many vendors at Inglis Classic can lay claim to having bred and sold two Group I winners in 2025 and you could have bought both of them at this sale for a combined total of $155,000.
People at Classic - Thursday Inspections Flat Chat
It was even busier on Thursday than it was on Wednesday at the Riverside complex for the Inglis Classic Sale and Maree McEwan was out speaking to more of the players in the lead up to Sunday.
King of Karaka Counts Down to a Favourite Race Day
Fresh from claiming the title of leading buyer at Karaka for the 18th time, Te Akau Racing principal David Ellis is turning his attention to one of his highlights of the racing calendar at Te Rapa this Saturday.
Two Straight for Brother to G1W Switzerland - Brother at Inglis Easter
Down to a field of six with the top weight Master Of The Air likely to start in Saturday’s G2 Autumn Stakes at Caulfield and the other scratched runner racing earlier in the day, the Michael Freedman trained Decorum, a brother to G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes winner Switzerland, recorded consecutive wins.
Caulfield set for Charity Family Day fun and fundraising
Blue Diamond Preludes and the return of Group I VRC Victoria Derby winner Observer will make for a great Saturday at Caulfield and MRC CEO Tanya Fullarton said the day would be a celebration of racing, community and charity. 
Eight Yearlings for Goodwood Farm at Inglis Classic
Kerrie Tibbey’s Goodwood Farm have a rich history of producing G1 winners with the likes of Private Eye, Dance Hero, Rebel Dane, Sacred Choice and Manawanui and at this year’s Inglis Classic yearling sale will offer eight yearlings by a mix of proven and second crop sires.