A barrier blindfold has helped nervous starter Sambro score a confidence-building win in the Hawkesbury Guineas.
But the next phase of Sambro’s preparation is up for debate after he overhauled Country Championship winner and race favourite Victorem in the Group Three feature over 1400m.
“We thought we’d try and get him out over further but obviously today was pretty dominant over a trip we thought would be too sharp for him,” trainer Chris Waller’s racing manager Charlie Duckworth said.
“We might have to readjust our plans a little bit and work out exactly where we head.”
Sambro will be head to Brisbane thanks to his long-awaited second career win, almost a year after he broke his maiden.
The original plan revolved around the mile, a trip he tackled last-start without success in the Group Three Carbine Club Stakes.
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 ($5) enjoyed an economical run with Josh Parr and responded once Victorem ($2.60) took the lead in the home straight.
Beau Geste ($6.50) was 1-3/4 lengths third to fill out the minor placings.
Parr, who completed a feature-race double after he won the Godolphin Crown on Pecans, admitted he had to alter his race plan.
“I anticipated racing on the speed but that plan went out the window when he jumped a bit slow and it ended up a godsend,” he said.
“I had a perfect run and he showed great courage late.”
