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...
New Epaulette SW Adds to Monovale Farm success
Epee Beel’s victory in Saturday’s Listed NZB Insurance Stakes (1400m) at Riccarton was a welcome result for breeder Monovale Farm.
Unwanted in Sale Ring - War Machine Justifies Breeders Faith
Jim and David Wallace are savouring the best of both worlds with their Ardsley Stud homebred War Machine.
Blueblood Savabeel Colt Set for Debut
Regally-bred colt Magice has plenty of pressure to live up to his family name, but he will begin that challenge when he makes his debut in the Arawa Park Hotel 2YO 1150 at Rotorua on Wednesday.
Stallion Syndicates – What Did They Buy This Year?
Last week we had a look at the purchasing of stallion syndicates in terms of the sires they like to support, but this week we’re looking at their purchases this year and which vendors they keep going back to.
Arrowfield Blueblood Wins on Debut
Unsold Arrowfield yearlings frequently find their way into the care of Paul Messara and Leah Gavranich and the pair produced a promising debut winner for The Autumn Sun at Scone on Tuesday.
Plenty of Drawcards in NZB National Online Yearling Sale Catalogue
With countless highlights throughout its 100-lot catalogue, the 2024 NZB National Online Yearling Sale gives buyers access to a quality selection of yearlings that would not have been out of place in the Book 1 or Book 2 sessions at Karaka earlier in the year.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Randwick
There were four heats for juveniles at Randwick on Monday morning that included a unraced youngsters by So You Think, Castelvecchio and Blue Point (IRE), while promising I Am Invincible colt Embassy could be one to follow for the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
One to Watch – Ballarat
Champion trainer Chris Waller doesn’t send out a lot of three year olds making their debut on Victorian provincial tracks, but he let one go at Ballarat on Tuesday and the daughter of I Am Invincible looks as though there will be more wins in store.
Almanzor Winning Run Continues
A bright future over further ground is being marked for Zantabulous after the Te Akau mare scored impressively over a mile at Te Rapa on Sunday.
Sires With Winners - Monday April 15
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.