Trainer Matt Laurie looking for more Sydney riches including a shot at The Everest with his Golden Slipper runner-up, Coleman

Victorian trainer Matt Laurie backed his judgement and was rewarded with his first Sydney winner when Amberite won at Rosehill and he now has his sights on The Everest.

Victorian visitor Amberite provided trainer Matt Laurie with his first winner in Sydney at Rosehill. Picture: Getty Images

Mornington trainer Matt Laurie is going to become a more familiar face to Sydney racegoers.

Laurie trained his first Sydney winner when Amberite led throughout to score a tough win in the Prague Yearlings Selling Now Handicap (1800m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

The promising Amberite’s winter campaign could be extended to include a Royal Randwick race in two weeks.

But Laurie is also the trainer of Coleman, the outstanding two-year-old who ran a close second in Lady Of Camelot’s Golden Slipper before his third to Manaal in the Inglis Sires.

Coleman has obvious sprinting ability and Laurie has not ruled out trying to get the colt into the $20 million The TAB Everest (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 19.

Amberite shows plenty of toughness to fight off Caprice Des Dieux over the concluding stages at Rosehill 💪@Reganbaylisspic.twitter.com/O0VXvjiG2L

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 29, 2024

“We have the Moir Stakes and the Manikato Stakes in Melbourne during the spring that we can run Coleman,” Laurie said.

“I’m tipping if he can win one of them then he would be a good choice for someone in The Everest.”

Coleman is at $26 in early TAB Fixed Odds betting for The Everest behind $4.50 favourite I Wish I Win.

Laurie has plenty of time to plot a path to The Everest for Coleman but his more pressing issue is determining Amberite’s immediate race program.

Amberite ($4.80), ridden by Regan Bayliss, fought hard when challenged to beat Caprice Des Dieux ($61) narrowly with Bright Red ($14) one-and-three-quarter lengths away third.

“He was able to lead in a very relaxed manner,” Laurie said. “He has a bit of fight, this horse.

“Our initial plan was to run last week and then go up to the Caloundra Cup but we won’t be doing that now.

“I am leaning towards maybe pulling up now but there is also a race at Randwick in two weeks.

🪄 Lady of Camelot spins a magical win in the G1 TAB Golden Slipper for@GaiWaterhouse1 /Bott and @blake_shinn!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/bRVsmAwuF9

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 23, 2024

“I’ve only had him for three runs, he had a little bit of racing in NZ, and he looks like he’s at a point where we might be able to capitalise on building his rating.”

Laurie explained why he decided to keep Amberite in Sydney after his scheduled Randwick race was washed out last week.

“There was a 2000m (benchmark) 78 race in Melbourne worth $80,000 this weekend,” Laurie said.

“But I said to the owners he is going better than that, so we made the decision to tackle this race today with more prizemoney on offer.

“We kept the horse in Sydney this week, he stayed with Gerald (Ryan) so we are thankful to him for helping me out. This is my first winner in Sydney, I’m happy to get that win.”

Meanwhile, form jockey Jay Ford was able to drive Anagain to victory despite dropping his whip at a vital stage of the Agency Real Estate Handicap (1400m).

Ford revealed he dropped his whip on Anagain about 100m from the finish.

“Bloody Nash (Rawiller, African Daisy) accidentally knocked it straight out of my hand,” Ford said.

Anagain scores her first victory in 11 months to the day in taking Race 5 at Rosehill for @PrideRacingpic.twitter.com/Om9lUVfO6d

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 29, 2024

“So, I’m glad she won. I was throwing everything I could at her as she doesn’t win very often.

“I rode her a bit patiently, which she likes, and we had a lovely run through, threaded between them and it was good to see her stick her head out to win.

“She always runs well but struggles to win so although she’s only won three now from 30, she is never far away. This is a good result for her”

In a tight finish, Anagain ($11) held on to win by a long head from Bakerloo ($11) with Zouphoria ($26) a half-length away third.

Favoured duo Ha Ha Ha ($3.80 favourite) and Aberlour $6) went hard up front and faded from the turn, finishing ninth and last respectively.

Trainer Joe Pride said Anagain’s win was timely as the mare is likely to go to stud later this year.

“Anagain is quite a tough mare, she just never seems to win,” Pride said.

“She just seems to be going round and round and never getting a result so that was good. It was her turn.”

Originally published as Trainer Matt Laurie looking for more Sydney riches including a shot at The Everest with his Golden Slipper runner-up, Coleman