Sambro Proves Too Strong in Queensland Guineas

Mark Smith - Saturday June 9

Scratched after raring up in the barriers in the Fred Best Stakes two weeks back, the Chris Waller-trained Sambro was on his best behaviour in Saturday's $350,000 Group II Queensland Guineas (1600m).

Given a peach of a ride by Michael Walker, the son of Fastnet Rock tracked the solid early set by the filly Vontaine and Karisto, before taking control at the 300 metres to prove a half-length too strong for stablemate Seaway (Ocean Park) by with Magnufighter (Magnus) one and a quarter lengths back in third. (photo Steve Hart)

Advertisement


Sambro pulled up a good deal better than his distressed rider who was assisted to the jockeys room and was stood down for the remainder of the programme.

"He's a funny horse, Greg Bennet has done a bit of work with him since his last start," Waller revealed.

"He took him back to his place for two days and mucked about with him and gave him a bit of confidence. The ground and the addition of a brow roll helped.

"He was an impressive winner of the Hawkesbury Guineas and was an unlucky second in the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington in the spring, so he deserved another stakes win.

Racing for a syndicate that includes Frank and Christine Cook, Sambro advances his record to 3 wins, 3 seconds and 4 from 16 starts with earnings of $475,707.

The son of Fastnet Rock was a $420,000 purchase by his trainer from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.

He is the third winner from stakes-placed Encosta de Lago mare Eau de Joie, a half-sister to Golden Slipper winner Polar Success out of the stakes-placed Covetous mare Patou who is a daughter of Polar Maid.

Sadly, Eau de Joie died in 2016 and has just one more representative, the unraced two-year-old filly Les Amoureux, a daughter of Redoute's Choice.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Stakes Success for Spritely 7YO Warhorse
Pearce Racing's seven year old warhorse Ginger Baker collected his first ever stakes win in the Listed 2200m South West Cup yesterday.
New Sprint Star for WA?
Oakland Park's veteran WA sire Sessions is rarely without a good horse to represent him, and the son of Lonhro now has his sixth stakes winner after exciting 3YO galloper Repossession spanked the older horses to win the Listed Beaufine Stakes at Pinjarra Park.
Resolute Racing Win G1 Prix Jean Prat – Wootton Bassett Sire Power
A crackerjack meeting at Deauville in France overnight highlighted the power of Wootton Bassett (GB), who sired yet another new two year-old stakes-winner and he also featured as the grand-sire of Woodshauna, who captured the Group I Prix Jean Prat (1400m) for US based Resolute Racing.
Sires With Winners - Sunday July 6
Here is the full list of 68 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Group 1 Durban July Success For Son Of Australian Bred Gimmethegreenlight
Although not having previously sired a winner of South Africa’s greatest race, the Australian bred, South African-based sire Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready) added a 13th individual Group 1 winner to his record when the Dean Kannemeyer trained The Real Prince (SAF) added Saturday’s R5m Group 1 Hollywoodbets Durban July (2200m) to his record.
Debut Winner for St Mark’s Basilica
Set to shuttle to Coolmore Australia this spring, St Mark’s Basilica (FR) had an impressive debut winner overnight in the UK with Cape Ashizuri opening his account in style.
Aussie Interest at JRHA Sale Next Week – First foal of Golden Slipper Winner
The 2025 JRHA  Select Foal and Yearling Sale will be held next week in Japan on July 14 and 15 and as usual there are some interesting entries for Aussie racing fans with a significant number of our star mares at stud in Japan including the 2022 Golden Slipper winner Fireburn.
Te Akau Stars Headed to Cranbourne
Te Akau’s Cranbourne barn has welcomed some exciting reinforcements ahead of spring racing, headlined by $3.5 million NZB Kiwi (1500m) heroine Damask Rose.
Public Attention Sold to Hong Kong
New Zealand-bred three-year-old Public Attention will continue his racing career in Hong Kong following his recent sale.
Spring Goals Await Caloundra Cup Winner Half Yours
With spring staying features on their minds, Tony and Calvin McEvoy sent their improving stayer north to Queensland for Saturday’s $300,000 Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m) with instant success as the 4yo gelding Half Yours romped home by four and a half lengths.