KEY POINTS:
Samurai could be considered for late entry into the group one $250,000 Stoney Bridge Stakes after extending an excellent Hastings record on Saturday.
Samurai took out a $45,000 open class handicap over 1600m to take his record at Hastings to seven starts for five wins and a placing.
The Daggers Drawn 6-year-old gelding is not among the entries for the Stoney Bridge Stakes (1600m) at Hastings on September 22, but Woodville trainer Neil Connors said a late entry would be considered if the horse continued his good form.
Connors said he would probably weigh up his options after the horse next raced in the group three $100,000 Merial Mile Handicap (1600m) at Awapuni, Palmerston North, on September 15.
"We can always change our plans afterwards if anything happens," Connors said.
Late entry for the Stoney Bridge closes on September 18 at a cost of $1500.
The Stoney Bridge is the second leg of the Hawkes Bay spring treble. The third leg is the $2 million Kelt Capital Stakes (2040m) at Hastings on October but Connors said the late entry for the Kelt might prove prohibitive.
The only late entry available to the Kelt now is the second late payment of $45,000 due by September 25.
Connors, however, was happy to be chasing the Merial Mile in the meantime. Samurai finished fifth to Floydeboy in last year's race.
"Small fish are sweet," he said.
Samurai started a $4 second favourite on Saturday following a fourth to Lord Monty in the group three Winter Cup (1600m) at Riccarton, Christchurch, on August 4.
Connors said Samurai had not had a proper training gallop since. "He hasn't had a saddle on him since Christchurch," he said.
Samurai has instead worked, without a rider, while being led off another horse. Connors said he avoided having weight on the horse's back because of knee problems.
"He goes a bit sore because he has trouble with knees. He's had it virtually since he was a 2-year-old."
Samurai's overall record is now 19 starts for six wins, five seconds and four fourths for stake earnings of $130,000.
Connors purchased Samurai at the National Yearling Sales at Karaka, south Auckland, for $35,000 in the same year he trained Bodie to win the 2003 Auckland Cup.
Samurai, ridden by Noel Harris, loomed up to leader The Veep early in the run home and then held out the finish of Ben Hogan to score by a head.
Ben Hogan held second and there was three-quarters of a length to The Veep, third. A head away fourth was the favourite Lilalkyn. The latter raced at the back of 10-horse field, was into the clear early in the run home and boxed on well.
- NZPA
