Samadoubt shocks rivals with record-breaking win in Winx Stakes
Samadoubt shocked some of the biggest names in Australian racing with an upset win in the Group 1 Winx Stakes, but the more you analyse the result, it is apparent he deserved his win.
Samadoubt – a Group 1 weight-for-age winner.
This wasn’t a sentence I thought I’d ever need to write out but Samadoubt shocked some of the biggest names in Australian racing with an upset win in the $500,000 Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
But the more you analyse the result, it is apparent Samadoubt deserved his win.
Samadoubt, the $31 outsider, went straight to the front, set a solid tempo and ran his rivals ragged. His rivals had every chance to run Samadoubt down in the straight but he was too tough, too good.
Stream over 50 sports live & anytime on your TV or favourite device with KAYO SPORTS. The biggest Aussie sports and the best from overseas. Just $25/month. No lock-in contract. Get your 14 day free trial
Samadoubt ran the Randwick 1400m in a brilliant 1m 21.05s – a new race record. He has won the race in faster time than legendary champions and three-time winners Kingston Town (1980-81-82) and Winx (2016-17-18).
There was no fluke about the result. This was a training coup by Bjorn Baker who produced Samadoubt rock-hard fit and in the form of his life for the Winx Stakes. It was also a masterful frontrunning ride by Tim Clark, who rated the chestnut superbly in front.
Samadoubt was first-up from a spell like most of his Winx Stakes rivals but Baker engineered this monumental upset result by giving the gelding a searching barrier trial hitout at Rosehill earlier this month, which he won by more than six lengths, and then some tough track gallops at Warwick Farm leading into Saturday’s race.
“These Group 1 races are tough to win so we will take this,’’ Baker said.
“We did set Samadoubt for this race. He was trained up for it but it’s hard to get too confident at this level.
“I thought when Dreamforce accepted for the other race we might have been a chance as we were the only leader and it has worked out for us.
“He’s been a good horse and did win our great nation’s capital race the Canberra Cup earlier this year. From Winx to Samadoubt – hasn’t it got a good ring to it.’’
Samadoubt ($31), raced by Darby Syndications, held off the late surge of the ever-reliable Happy Clapper ($5.50) to win by a half length with Invincible Gem ($14) a neck away third.
Avilius ($2.60 favourite) was a close fourth, with jockey Kerrin McEvoy lodging an unsuccessful protest against Invincible Gem.
Clark and Baker devised a race plan for Samadoubt which resulted in the biggest Winx Stakes upset since Sir Dex won at $41 in 2005.
“Definitely, Samadoubt was an underdog,’’ Clark said.
“In two or three runs time over a little bit further these other horses are probably going to get the better of him but at this point of his preparation, 1400m fresh, it just looked like an ideal race to have a throw at the stumps.
“We thought if I could pinch a few easy sectionals down the side, then when we were at the 600m I thought there’s a few old stayers behind me so we’d see how much speed they had in their legs.
“He gave a great kick and it’s very exciting to win the first Group 1 of the season. It’s been a great start to the season and to get a Group 1 so early on is really awesome.’’
Happy Clapper often chased home the mighty Winx during her great career but even in her absence, he had to settle for another Group 1 second placing.
Trainer Pat Webster wasn’t about to make any excuses, instead finding a silver lining in Happy Clapper’s narrow loss.
“He’s run a great race and showed us, even as a nine-year-old, that he’s back,’’ Webster said.
“We will probably go straight to the George Main Stakes in a month’s time. I’ll give him a barrier trial before that race.”
Hugh Bowman, rider of Happy Clapper, said the veteran gelding never stopped trying.
“He’s a courageous horse, he gave me everything, the winner just caught us all napping a bit,’’ Bowman said.
Invincible Gem ran another consistent race to claim the minor placing while Kerrin McEvoy, rider of Avilius, said the Godolphin galloper produced “a great return has finished his race off very well.’’
James McDonald warned punters not to drop off Verry Elleegant despite the mare beating only Le Romain to the line. “She’s returned OK,’’ McDonald said. “She’s just a bit more dour and I had a few concerns about that regarding today’s race.
“Her work suggested she wants a mile, mile and a half. They are just a bit sharp for her now, I think even at a mile they might be a bit quick for her, especially against these tough older horses. She’ll improve off it and don’t give up on her.”
Only pride for Deprive
Deprive maintained his unbeaten track record when he held off Trope in a Royal Randwick thriller.
The finish to Saturday’s Group 3 $160,000 Show County Quality (1200m) had everyone guessing before the judge declared Deprive had won by the barest of margins.
There was debate on social media about the photo finish and Trope’s co-trainer Michael Hawkes and owner Alan Bell even asked to study a high- definition photo and accepted there was a margin, albeit small, to Deprive.
Rachel King, rider of Deprive, conceded she had no idea who had won as the two horses were so far apart on the track.
“I actually couldn’t see (Trope),’’ King said. “When I looked across, the sun was glaring a little bit and I honestly couldn’t see him. I knew (Trope) was finishing really well but I’m obviously very happy Deprive has hung on.
“For Deprive to come back in this sort of form; obviously his wins before were in the winter and it’s always hard to stand up the form when they come back in the spring but he’s just such a tough little horse.
“First-up 1200m off one trial, full credit to James (Cummings) and the team. He was fit and ready to go and he’s only going to improve.
“He was just peaking on his run with 50m to go but he’s just got the best attitude. He just wants to win.”
The talented Deprive ($3.30 favourite) scored his fifth consecutive win and seventh from 10 starts when he held off Trope ($4.60) with Bon Amis ($8.50) a nose away third.
Cummings also conceded he was unsure if Deprive had held off Trope.
“It was a nailbiter,’’ he said. “Trope is a pretty capable galloper. We’re honoured and a little flattered to have beaten him.
“Deprive was a bit fresh and it probably told in the last 50m. But Rachel was really confident in him and this horse has a great winning attitude.’’
Cummings said he may set Deprive for the Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield next month.
Tommy Berry, rider of Trope, said the lightly raced Team Hawkes-trained sprinter is set for a big spring campaign after his outstanding return.
“He has produced a big run,’’ Berry said. “They didn’t go as quick as I thought they would, so he did travel a bit too well for me but he’s going great. Super effort.”
Stewards query Pride Of Jenni Toorak entry
Racing Victoria stewards have inquired into leading trainer Ciaron Maher’s decision to enter star mare Pride Of Jenni for Saturday’s Group 1 Toorak Handicap at Caulfield.
Melbourne Cup weight penalty for Bart Cummings winner
Just Fine’s gutsy win earned him a Melbourne Cup weight penalty, while Racing Victoria also announced penalties for last Saturday’s Epsom Handicap and Metropolitan winners.