Sampson
Race Images Palmerston North
Two old mates combined for an upset win in the Gr.3 Trentham Stakes with the genuine stayer Sampson.
Otaki trainer Howie Mathews called on Reese Jones on Saturday to partner the seven-year-old in the Mills Reef Winery-sponsored contest and the experienced northern rider played his part perfectly.
"He's the most under-rated jockey in New Zealand – we've been great friends for years," Mathews said.
Sampson settled one off the rail behind the leading pair and he was travelling easily for Jones across the top.
When he was asked for an effort in the straight, the 22-1 shot bounded to the front and he strolled to the line for the eighth win of his career at the expense of Authentic Paddy and Promise To Reign.
Mathews has yet to confirm the immediate programme of Sampson, but he is likely to be looking at the summer cups in the north for the son of Dubai Destination.
"I've pulled him out of the Wellington Cup and we might look at Avondale Cup for him and maybe the Auckland Cup," he said, "My ultimate dream is to go to Brisbane with him."
Mathews is no stranger to success at the Queensland winter carnival, albeit more than a quarter of a century ago.
He trained Coshking to win the 1989 Brisbane Cup when the then two mile event carried Group One status.
Coshking was an outstanding stayer who also won the Gr. 2 Dalgety Handicap at Flemington, finished runner-up in the Gr. 1 Sydney Cup and third in the Gr. 1 Metropolitan. He also twice finished fourth in the Wellington Cup, when it too was a Group One race. – NZ Racing Desk.
Otaki trainer Howie Mathews called on Reese Jones on Saturday to partner the seven-year-old in the Mills Reef Winery-sponsored contest and the experienced northern rider played his part perfectly.
"He's the most under-rated jockey in New Zealand – we've been great friends for years," Mathews said.
Sampson settled one off the rail behind the leading pair and he was travelling easily for Jones across the top.
When he was asked for an effort in the straight, the 22-1 shot bounded to the front and he strolled to the line for the eighth win of his career at the expense of Authentic Paddy and Promise To Reign.
Mathews has yet to confirm the immediate programme of Sampson, but he is likely to be looking at the summer cups in the north for the son of Dubai Destination.
"I've pulled him out of the Wellington Cup and we might look at Avondale Cup for him and maybe the Auckland Cup," he said, "My ultimate dream is to go to Brisbane with him."
Mathews is no stranger to success at the Queensland winter carnival, albeit more than a quarter of a century ago.
He trained Coshking to win the 1989 Brisbane Cup when the then two mile event carried Group One status.
Coshking was an outstanding stayer who also won the Gr. 2 Dalgety Handicap at Flemington, finished runner-up in the Gr. 1 Sydney Cup and third in the Gr. 1 Metropolitan. He also twice finished fourth in the Wellington Cup, when it too was a Group One race. – NZ Racing Desk.