Sampson Strikes in NZ St Leger

Media Release - Saturday March 16

Venerable stayer Sampson took advantage of the new conditions of the Listed Yealands Family Wines NZ St Leger (2600m) at Trentham on Saturday to run out an emphatic eight-length winner.

Sampson - Trish DunnellTraditionally a platform for younger stayers, the race was changed from a three and four-year-old event to an open-age feature this year and nine-year-old galloper Sampson showed the benefit of experience by giving his younger rivals a galloping lesson.

The Howie Mathews-trained galloper had warmed up for the event when fourth of four runners behind Hunta Pence over an unsuitable 1600m last week. On Saturday he carried just 2.5kgs above the minimum, care of the set weights and penalties conditions.

Ridden by Johnathan Parkes, the central districts hoop made a mid-race move when the tempo slackened to take Sampson to the front and horse and rider were cruising rounding the home turn, with Parkes taking several looks over his shoulder in search of an opponent.

"Obviously he's just out-stayed them all," Parkes said.

"I wasn't really happy with pace down the back and I was able to let him roll forward and from there he has pretty much just dominated the race.

"It's just such a shame that he missed out on the Wellington Cup (Gr.3, 3200m) this year, but who knows, he might be back here next year for it."

A stone bruise forced the late scratching of Sampson from January's Wellington Cup with the Dubai Destination gelding in good form prior to the Cup, having landed the Listed Marton Cup (2200m) in impressive fashion.

While the second-half of the race couldn't have worked out better for the nine-year-old, who takes the mantle as the oldest St Leger winner in the world, the early stages weren't straight forward for the $2.90 favourite.

"He didn't begin as well as I thought he would, but I wasn't too worried," Parkes said.

Advertisement

"They just eased the pace around the first bend and he got pulling quite hard so I thought I was better off to let him roll forward and get him into his own rhythm and from there he just travelled well.

"When he did get to the front he was just too good. I kept looking back to check how much I was actually in front by.

"I have sat up on one, years ago, when I thought I was home-and-hosed, so I like to make sure they do get to the line or else it's a costly suspension."

Winning trainer Howie Mathews was gobsmacked by the ease of the win of Sampson who is like a member of the family.

"It was an amazing win," Mathews said.

"Early when he was in trouble I thought 'what's parkesy doing?' but he just had so much horse he had to let him stride along, and that's the deal with the horse, he is a good one-pacer.

"He's close to our heart and he's fantastic. He's just an everyday mate. He's always there."

The 93-rated stayer has now won 11 of his 64 starts and $435,000 in prizemoney. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Deep Field's Depth Of Character Takes The Queensland Guineas
Deep Field three-year-old Depth Of Character has opened the path to a potential Group I Stradbroke Handicap tilt after winning the Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Femminile gives Dundeel first female G1 winner with Derby victory
Supersire Dundeel has his second G1 South Australian Derby winner and his first female G1 winner after his courageous daughter Femminile was too good for the boys at Morphettville this afternoon in the time honoured 2500m Classic.
2.3million Justify Colt Wins G1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas for Godolphin
The weekend started well for Godolphin when their unbeaten filly Good Cheer won the Group I Kentucky Oaks on Friday and it got even better on Saturday when record priced  €2.3million Justify colt Ruling Court landed the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas in the UK.
$1.1million Fastnet Filly a New SW for Sheamus Mills Bloodstock
Tara Talks Racing podcast listeners would have taken notice of the Listed SAJC Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday featuring $1.1million Fastnet Rock filly On Display.
Veteran Wins Marton Cup
Evergreen galloper Sampson proved that age is just a number when he gave his younger rivals a solid beating in Saturday's Listed Gallagher Marton Cup (2200m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 3
Here is the full list of 113 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Inglis Australian Weanlings - Unraced Trial Report
With the Inglis Australian Weanling sale kicking off on Monday don’t forget to check the unraced trialler report for a bit more intel on what might be coming.
Kentucky Derby Triumph for Godolphin
Sheikh Mohammed’s revered Godolphin racing and breeding operation have won Derbies all over the world, but until today the Kentucky Derby had proven elusive, but a three year-old colt called Sovereignty changed all that at Churchill Downs before a crowd in excess of 150,000.
First Stakes Winner for Cool Aza Beel
Newhaven Park’s Cool Aza Beel produced his first stakes winner when two-year-old colt Cool Archie won the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
So You Think He’s Tough- Punch Lane Wins G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup
Backing up for a third Saturday in a row, super fit So You Think gelding Punch Lane booked his place in the $3million Big Dance later this year when leading all the way to win the $250,000 Group III Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) on Saturday.