Scratched after raring up in the barriers in the Fred Best Stakes two weeks back, the Chris Waller-trained Sambro was on his best behaviour in Saturday's $350,000 Group II Queensland Guineas (1600m).
Given a peach of a ride by Michael Walker, the son of Fastnet Rock tracked the solid early set by the filly Vontaine and Karisto, before taking control at the 300 metres to prove a half-length too strong for stablemate Seaway (Ocean Park) by with Magnufighter (Magnus) one and a quarter lengths back in third. (photo Steve Hart)
Sambro pulled up a good deal better than his distressed rider who was assisted to the jockeys room and was stood down for the remainder of the programme.
"He's a funny horse, Greg Bennet has done a bit of work with him since his last start," Waller revealed.
"He took him back to his place for two days and mucked about with him and gave him a bit of confidence. The ground and the addition of a brow roll helped.
"He was an impressive winner of the Hawkesbury Guineas and was an unlucky second in the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington in the spring, so he deserved another stakes win.
Racing for a syndicate that includes Frank and Christine Cook, Sambro advances his record to 3 wins, 3 seconds and 4 from 16 starts with earnings of $475,707.
The son of Fastnet Rock was a $420,000 purchase by his trainer from the Baramul Stud draft at the 2016 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
He is the third winner from stakes-placed Encosta de Lago mare Eau de Joie, a half-sister to Golden Slipper winner Polar Success out of the stakes-placed Covetous mare Patou who is a daughter of Polar Maid.
Sadly, Eau de Joie died in 2016 and has just one more representative, the unraced two-year-old filly Les Amoureux, a daughter of Redoute's Choice.
