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Samsama shows Classic potential

Richard Hughes is already dreaming of taking aim at a 1000 guineas trial next season with Al Samsama, who returned to winning ways in the British Stallion Studs EBF ‘Jersey Lily’ Fillies’ Nursery Handicap at Newmarket.

Having come undone on heavy ground last time out when trying to back up her debut victory at Newbury, the daughter of Blue Point showed what she can do on a slick surface when making lightwork of topweight in the seven furlong prize under Billy Loughnane.

Despite being drawn out wide in stall two, the 9/2 chance breezed into contention before striding clear once sent on inside the final two furlongs to go on and score by three and a half lengths.

Hughes said: “I was hoping she would win. The ground went against her at Goodwood. There were four runners, and they were all coming out that day. It was a fifty thousand pound pot, and I thought do I come out as well, but I thought she might go on the ground.

“She put up with it, but didn’t love it. Ryan (Moore) came in and said she hated the ground, but she got on with it because she is decent. On top of the ground she is a really nice filly.

“She settled really well today and that helped her as she was a bit keen the last day. We were drawn out on the wing, which was horrible, and she only had one behind her at half-way, but I thought he must have been going well and getting a good feeling as he wasn’t moving. I’m very pleased.”

And while Hughes is undecided whether to go again with Al Samsama, he has a plan in mind as to what he wants to do next season.

He added: “I would hope she is better than a nursery type. I don’t know if we will have a go at a better race this year. We picked this race out for her as she is quite a big filly so I would rather train her then pick a race rather than do it the other way around.

“We will probably go for a Guineas trial next year. I think a mile will be the maximum for her.”

Gulf in class

Queen Of The Gulf reigned supreme on her debut to complete a good day at the office for Lambourn handler Hughes when looking a classy operator in the Blandford Bloodstock 25th Anniversary EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes.

Despite taking on more experienced rivals, the daughter of Havana Grey appears to have an exciting future ahead of her judging by the manner of her victory in the seven furlong contest.

Always travelling well, the 15/8 favourite eased past long time leader Lady Jemima inside the final two furlongs before striding clear to score by four lengths to give both Hughes and Loughnane their second winner together on the card.

Hughes said: “I was confident as I rode her out last Sunday morning. I don’t usually ride them anymore. I saddled her up for Finley to ride, but I asked where he was and they said he was in Rome, so I grabbed my helmet and rode her myself and I worked her with another filly that had won a race.

“I’m eleven stone now, and the lad on the other one weighed eight stone, and he couldn’t get to me so I thought this is good. She had a huge blow after I rode her so my only worry was if she was fit enough today. Billy said she took a good blow, so she will improve a lot.

“She is nice and easy. After the work she pulled up and went to sleep again.

“I didn’t think there would be much between them (Queen Of The Gulf and Al Samsama). You could throw a blanket over both.

“She has won her maiden today so we will see if we run her again as I wouldn’t want to run her on heavy ground. That might be enough for her as she will grow again.”

Haines puts them to the Sword

Sword snapped a 16 race losing streak stretching back to last June when showing what he is capable of when putting it all together in the Hunt Family Fund Handicap Stakes. 

Showing a more than willing attitude, the gelded son of Kingman out ran his 20/1 price tag when finishing best of them all under Olivia Haines to claim victory by half a length. 

Stuart Williams, winning trainer, said: “He has got plenty of ability, and always has had, but he is just not the easiest to deal with. He is a bit of a reluctant hero. 

“Olivia gets on with him really well, and she has been riding him a lot at home, and done a lot of work with him. It is great they have been rewarded today.

“He always travels well in his races, it is just whether he gets up to the front or not, but he had plenty of space today and there were no small gaps to go through.

"I think that worked in his favour.”

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