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Stallion - Anglia (Aus)
Sam steps up
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Sam's Express (outside) surges to the lead in Sunshine Coast Guineas (Noel Pascoe photo) |
Toowoomba gelding Sam's Express was back to his best at the Sunshine Coast on June 28 after a disappointing last start at Ipswich.
Trainer Michael Nolan had struggled to get a rider for Sam's Express leading into the Listed XXXX Sunshine Coast Guineas 1600m but a last minute booking proved in his favour.
Sam's Express (G3 Anglia-Express Train) only finished 11th at Ipswich but with jockey Glyn Schofield available for the Sunshine Coast ride, the gelding stepped up to the mile claiming his second Black Type win.
Schofield timed the sprint to the line perfectly after jumping from barrier 10 and sitting towards the back of the field. Sam's Express was able to keep his nose in front when pressured by Save a Buck (Glen Colless) and Prima Nova (Danny Nikolic) after they both made a late dash for the line.
The gelding officially finished half a length ahead of Save a Buck with $3 favourite Prima Nova a close half a head back in third after a poor start out of barrier four.
Schofield knows the Sunshine Coast track well after a previous stint riding for local trainer Bruce McLachlan. He has also ridden in Hong Kong and South Africa and now resides in New South Wales.
Sam's Express returned to the track on December 1 but failed to gain his pre-Equine Influenza form which included a win in the Listed Doomben Slipper 1350m.
After a short break early in the year the gelding was back at Toowoomba winning in late April and has stepped up to the mile nicely.
QUEENSLAND Racing web news: Claire Power – June 30