Fastnet Rock 3YO Wins Hawkesbury Guineas

Tara Madgwick - Saturday April 28
Gelding might be the making of talented Fastnet Rock three year-old Sambro, who finally delivered an overdue stakes victory when taking out the $200,000 Group III Hawkesbury Guineas on Saturday.



Prepared by Chris Waller, Sambro broke his maiden in good style in May last year but had been winless since then despite placing several Black Type events.

SambroOften tricky in the gates, Sambro (images Steve Hart)  had the use of a barrier blindfold that allowed him to start on terms and he surged clear at the finish to win the 1400 metre contest by a long neck.

Stable representative Charlie Duckworth was relieved gear changes finally seem to have calmed Sambro in the stalls.

"He's got no malice in him, he's just playing because he was just a child. He'd put a foot up in the barriers and get scratched," he said.

"He's finally come of age and worked it all out. His barrier manners have improved enormously now he's got the right head gear on.

"He would have won a lot more than two by now if that had been the case a year ago."

Sambro was a $420,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Baramul Stud draft for Chris Waller Racing and runs for a syndicate of stable clients. His overall record reads two wins and seven placings from 15 starts with prizemoney topping $256,000.

He is the third winner from stakes-placed Encosta de Lago mare Eau de Joie, a half-sister to Golden Slipper winner Polar Success. She died in 2016 and has just one more two year-old filly to race, Les Amoureux, a daughter of Redoute's Choice.

Sambro is the 136th stakes-winner for champion sire Fastnet Rock.

Advertisment
More Reading...
First Winner for Wild Ruler
In the same week Newgate young gun Profiteer sired his first winner, his barnmate Wild Ruler has followed suit with the Rod Northam trained gelding Savage Look making a winning debut at Scone on Thursday.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
The Rosehill trials on Thursday morning featured four heats that were won by juveniles and two of those winners were by Ole Kirk, while an unraced Home Affairs filly continues to show potential with her second trial win.
Sires With Winners - Thursday January 29
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Unbeaten Snitzel G1 Colt Return to Conquer Retired
Unbeaten Group One-winning colt Return To Conquer has been retired.
Autumn Stars Step Out at Caulfield Trials
Four-time Group 1 winner Treasurethe Moment will be among the star attractions in next month’s $750,000 Group 1 Futurity Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield, with Mornington trainer Matt Laurie confirming her intended starting point.
Stellar Summer Sale Closes out Karaka 2026
The final session of NZB’s 100th National Yearling Sale took place at Karaka on Thursday, with a strong inaugural Karaka Summer Sale.
Team Widden Primed for Inglis Classic
The release of third declarations for the Group I MRC Blue Diamond Stakes next month has Widden Stud’s fairytale colt Unit Five still in the mix after his brilliant win in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic, but next week the focus for Team Widden turns to Inglis Classic.
Foote Secures Karaka Summer Sale-Topper
Respected international bloodstock agent John Foote has been attending the National Yearling Sale in New Zealand for over 50 years, and he returned to Karaka for the historic 100th National Yearling Sale this week.
Arrowfield Announce Dubawi G1 Winner for 2026
Arrowfield Stud is delighted to announce that Juddmonte’s Group 1-winning miler Lead Artist (Dubawi – Obligate by Frankel) will join the Stud’s 2026 stallion roster under a shuttle arrangement.
$125,000 Written By Filly at Karaka Summer
Samantha and Francis Finnegan followed a successful pattern when going to $125,000 to purchase a sharp filly by Written By at the Summer Sale at Karaka on Thursday.