News

Samantha Miss poised to be a big autumn hit

16th Feb 2009

Sydney Monring Herald - Craig Young - Sunday, 15 February 2009

The Light Fingers

THE gloss may be off reigning Horse of the Year Weekend Hussler but it appears outstanding filly Samantha Miss is in for a super autumn.

Weekend Hussler flopped at Moonee Valley yesterday while Samantha Miss was a half head short in the Light Fingers Stakes at Randwick, which was taken out by the David Payne-trained Rock Me Baby.

"She was struggling to get there but she got a sniff of the winning post and surged again," Samantha Miss's jockey Hugh Bowman said.

"She is a bit more dour this time. I was actually surprised I got as close as I did, because at the top of the straight I thought I just don't have the horse to get within a length and a half of them, but she did.

"She dug down and it was encouraging for the longer trips."

Samantha Miss hadn't started since waltzing away with the VRC Oaks at Flemington last spring following a gallant third behind heavyweight Maldivian in the Cox Plate. Before that Samantha Miss swept through the Princess Series in Sydney, winning each of the four legs in brilliant fashion.

"I was a bit worried after the barrier trial at Wyong that she had lost that zip," Samantha Miss's trainer, Kris Lees, said. "She was relaxing more like a stayer, but in the last week she found a bit of speed."

Lees wasn't about to blame a slow track. "This race over the 1200m was always going to be a concern first-up," he said.

"She was tardy out today and gave them a start but it was a real good effort. She'll be right when she gets over a bit more ground."

Lees hasn't ruled out taking on the colts and gelding in the AJC Australian Derby with AJC Oaks-bound Samantha Miss although the group 1 Coolmore Classic awaits, which is the case with yesterday's impressive winner Hot Danish.

"We've got to put her in the Coolmore Classic and see how she goes," Payne said when asked about Rock Me Baby's autumn major.

"They [Samantha Miss and Hot Danish] are going to have to give us weight, I would think."

Payne described Rock Me Baby as "underrated" and pointed out her five wins from eight starts.

"She keeps improving and she stepped up today," Payne said.

"The track helped and the way he rode her, she had a fitness edge too, it all helps." Payne sent a call to former Sydney jockey Brad Pengelly who is now based in Queensland. Pengelly was grilled by Racing NSW steward earlier in the day after arriving on course late.

The Brisbane plane was delayed, so stewards took no action.

"He has always come to my aid when I've wanted him and he is as good as any of these blokes here," Payne said.

Third place in the event was taken out by the Clarry Conners-trained Glowlamp which may well be the best maiden in Australia.

Glowlamp has competed against the best of the fillies throughout a 14-start career.

Bargain youthful Jack delivers

THE money arrived for Youthful Jack and the $5000 purchase delivered when tearing off with yesterday's Royal Sovereign Stakes at Randwick.

Youthful Jack was formerly with Taree trainer Ross Stitt, who sent the horse he part-owns to good mate and fellow trainer Alan Denham at Rosehill.

Last year Stitt sent Denham Heavenly Glow, which went onto win the Arrowfield Stakes and AJC Australian Oaks.

"Ross is the most laid-back bloke in the world and no trainer gives you a horse to train," Denham said yesterday.

"He has given me these two horses and I've only given him one. He has made a fool out of me - I won one race with the horse I gave him and he won three with it." Denham is not sure how good Youthful Jack is with the three-year-old now having won 11 of 15 starts with Australia's most winning jockey - Robert Thompson, Stitt's close mate - doing the steering.

"It is hard to say how good he is," Denham said. "He does handle the wet and this was the best quality field he has met, but even coming round the home turn he seemed to have them covered." Stitt was going to sell Youthful Jack in Hong Kong but the gelding failed a vet test.

Yesterday's first prize of $90,000 took Youthful Jack's earnings to $585,100 and there is more to come.