By Duane Ranger
A lack of racing and the grass track surface appear to be the only stumbling blocks for Millie Sampson up as she tackles Tuesday’s $9,000 Brown & Pennell Te Awamutu Cup at Waipa.
The Bettor’s Delight – Cullen’s Creation mare hasn’t raced for 363 days. That was when the 5-year-old when finished down the field against New Zealand’s top fillies and mares (including winner Adore Me) in the Group One Queen Of Hearts Pace at Alexandra Park last New Year’s Eve.
Tuesday’s C2 and faster handicap will also be the first time she has raced on grass – and at Waipa.
But co-trainer and driver Josh Dickie said the bay who has won six of her 20 starts, had been in work for five months – and her workout win at Pukekohe on December 19 impressed him.
“She suffered a slight tendon injury. It was one of those unfortunate injuries that could only be healed with time.
“It’s taken a while but she’s always been a clean pacer and after that trial win I feel that she’s now getting back to her best again. She only needs racing to get her back to peak from. She should be alright on the grass, but you never know,” Dickie said.
Nevertheless because of her nice gait, he thought she could still win.
“The mare has drawn ideally (2) and should be prominent throughout. If she races like she did in her trial then I think she can got close,” said Dickie, who co-trains Millie Sampson with his father, John, at Clevedon.
Millie Sampson beat Tuapeka Sky and Tuesday’s race rival Major Star (20m) by a head and a length at her last Workout.
She paced the 2050m mobile (right-handed) in 2:40.9 (mile rate: 2:06.2) with final 800m and 400m sectionals of 56.3 and 27.8.
She drew four of five that day and led all the way after Major Star went to dispute the pace in the parked position.
“I think she’s our best chance on Tuesday,” said the 24-year-old, who also liked Vibe in the preceding junior driving event.
“We’ve got two in that race and they are both good chances. Joanednobettor (Kyle Marshall) has drawn wide on the second row, but although Vibe has copped a second row draw she has been going real well at Alexandra Park.
“Trent (Lethaby) drove her real well into second last week and I think they can go close again.”
Dickie also made a couple of comments on his two other drives:
Race 4: Barabbas (3) – “He has been disappointing and raced below par at Alexandra Park last Tuesday. He’s better than that. It was his first run back for five months, so I think he can bounce back. He’s drawn well and I’d rate him an each-way chance from the good draw.
Race 6: Bim Bombay (1) – “He broke at Hawera and Wanganui – when the money was on. He’s way better than that and he will love the Waipa grass. I last drove him three starts back when we finished third at Manawatu. He can figure in the photo finish as well.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
