Kris Lees blueblood Sammy can take another step towards convincing racegoers that he can fulfill the promise he displayed early in his career when he contests the Rascal Burgers Benchmark 64 Handicap (1250 metres) at Saturday's Newcastle race meeting.
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It's the second day of Newcastle Jockey Club's spring carnival and it's a high quality provincial program.
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Sammy (Medaglia D'Oro - Samantha Miss) has had 11 starts for two wins and six placings.
In October 2020, the stable thought enough of him to contest the group 2 Stan Fox Stakes at Randwick.
John Singleton bred and races the four year-old and a decision was made during his winter spell to geld him.
Sammy's had three starts since and he's in career-best form.
An unlucky first-up run at Gosford in July was followed by a close third at Scone.
Third up on this Newcastle track on September 4 he won a class 1 by 8.65 lengths.
Lees, not to be one who gets carried away, said on the day that it appeared the gelding's operation had turned the horse around.
Lees apprentice Dylan Gibbons rode the horse last start and he has the mount again claiming three kilograms.
Newcastle's leading trainer could bookend the program.
Sammy contests the final event while his American bred stayer Daysan will be hard to beat in the opening Red Funnel Benchmark 64 Handicap (2300m).
The five year-old made up many lengths when beaten into fourth in a 1700m class 1 at Scone on August 12 in what was his Australian debut.
Second up Daysan stormed home to win a 2000m class 1 at Hawkesbury.
The longer trip on Saturday won't be a problem.
The Matthew Dunn trained mare Six Again has bright prospects in the 900m maiden plate.
In her only start, Six Again was a close second in a Hawksbury maiden in April. She has been trialling well.
Hunter jockey Aaron Bullock has three rides booked on the card after almost two months off.
Newcastle has four meetings scheduled for October - 2, 12, 16, 30 - before The Hunter on November 13.
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