Kensington preview: Noel Mayfield-Smith feels an inside barrier gives Sammy Conquers All a winning edge

After a string of wide draws, trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith is optimistic Sammy Conquers All is ready to shine in Sydney with a favourable draw.

Sammy Conquers All (centre) is chasing a deserved city win at Randwick-Kensington. Picture: Bradley Photos

A string of wide draws has cost Sammy Conquers All a couple of city wins but he can amend that when he heads back to Sydney this week.

Coffs Harbour trainer Noel Mayfield-Smith ventured to Randwick with the three-year-old back in February for a TAB Highway where he charged home to finish a close third behind Lisztomania and Exit Fee.

After a sixth to Tribecca Star in the NRRA Country Championship Qualifier at Lismore, Sammy Conquers All had three runs in Queensland where he finished fifth at the Gold Coast in the QTIS Jewel and two fourths at Eagle Farm.

“He is racing really well without a lot of luck with barrier draws,” said Mayfield-Smith.

“He drew wide in the Highway and had to go back which didn’t suit but he got home quite strong to run third.

Lisztomania breaks a 733-day drought in winning the TAB Highway at Randwick with @mcacajamez in the saddle for Todd Payne 👏 pic.twitter.com/gHnp3WcLmE

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) February 8, 2025

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“He is a QTIS horses so he ran in a few of those in Brisbane and he kept drawing near the outside and going back on tracks where you had to be up there near the speed.

“He ran very good races but was quite unlucky.”

After a short break, Sammy Conquers All drew well and raced outside the leader to score a smart win from Aye Aye Skipper with Brock Ryan in the saddle.

The draw has again favoured the gelding when he came up with gate 1 in the Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1400m) with Ryan to again ride.

“He’s a better chaser and doesn’t like to get to the front too soon as he tends to wander,” he said.

“The longer he is looking at backsides, the better he will chase.

“From the inside draw, he should be just behind the speed and have a last crack at them.”

Closer to home, Mayfield-Smith will saddle up Monte Tiana in the Winning Edge Presentations Benchmark 58 Handicap (1400m) at Grafton where she has drawn barrier 11.

The four-year-old mare appreciated a better track when fourth at Coffs Harbour last start and Mayfield-Smith expects her to make her presence felt again.

“She drew wide the other day and probably got back a bit too far but she motored to the line on a track that was playing to horses on the inside,” he said.

“Forget her two runs before that because she is just hopeless on wet ground.

“The gate doesn’t worry me that much. She should settle about midfield and she likes to come into it down the outside.

“Her work has been extremely good and I expect her to run well.”