By Brigette Solomon
Ardmore-based trainers Brian and Gareth Hughes line up two runners at Cambridge tonight, including the well-bred two year old Captain Sampson who makes his race debut.
Captain Sampson is by Captaintreacherous and out of Millie Sampson, an eight race winning mare who also placed third in the 2014 New Zealand Yearling Sales Series Championship.
The gelding, to be driven by Tony Cameron, starts from barrier three in Race two, the Hamilton Fencing Swift Stride Mobile Pace for two-year-old colts and geldings. The five horse field consists entirely of first starters with Captain Sampson having several educational workouts under his belt with good results.
“He’s trialled up nicely and with each trial he’s got a bit better,” says Gareth Hughes, “his workout on Saturday where he finished second was good and he just blew out a little so it will have sharpened him up a bit for tonight’s race.”
Captain Sampson will start a $3.60 second favourite, with Bar Louie at $1.60.
“He’s a nice, progressive type and the Captaintreacherous progeny are doing a great job on the track.”
The Hughes partnership’s second runner is the five-year-old trotter Grace N Elegance who lines up in Race five, The Gavelhouse.com Handicap Trot over 2200 metres.
“She has been going good honest races although tonight’s race is a step up for her,” says Hughes, “no doubt she will give another honest performance though.”
The lightly-raced mare won her maiden race at Cambridge over the same distance at her last start and has been a consistent performer from limited outings. Grace N Elegance starts tonight’s race off a 10 metre handicap and is driven by Joshua Dickie.
The evening’s higher rated pace and trot races also see the resumption of several competitive horses including four-year-old mares Kourtney Kardash and Mhai Surfer Girl in Race seven, the Dunstan Horsefeeds Mobile Pace over 2200 metres. Meanwhile Aflyin Spur, a winner of seven races, resumes fresh up off the 20 metre line in Race eight, the Betavet Prepare Handicap Trot.
Tonight’s meeting gets underway with Race one at 5.26pm.