Balancing training and race riding has become a successful venture for Samantha Wynne and she was delighted to guide her own Peecee Pussycat (NZ) (Pure Champion) to victory at Riccarton Synthetic on Friday.
The Irish horsewoman established herself among the top jockeys based in Canterbury over the past decade, riding well over 300 winners before trying her hand in the training role in early 2022, her first runner being a winner in Fettercairn.
After a riding accident later that year, Wynne was on the sidelines and ramped up her Prebbleton operation with the support of breeders Colin and Tina Nimmo, who first entrusted her with Zacinto mare Zacat, and later her older half-brother Peecee Pussycat.
The six-year-old was initially trained by Cambridge conditioner John Bell to four wins and was yet to enter the winner’s circle for Wynne, but that all changed with a perfectly-rated ride in Friday’s Rating 75 2200m contest.
Rated a $10.70 chance, Peecee Pussycat was urged forward early by Wynne to sit outside the leader Sway Up, and at the 1400 metres she took matters into her own hands taking over the pacemaking role and rolling comfortably out in front to the home turn.
The big gelding shook off Sway Up and extended his stride strongly, holding off the charge of Tomyturbo to score by a long head with race-favourite Sincere closely gamely into third.
Wynne was thrilled to have her race plan come off, praising her charges efforts after the staying event.
“He seems to go his best races in front, he’s a bit of a grinder so I did a bit of work early and he got a breather,” she said.
“He was super fit with a light weight on his back so I knew he could handle it, it just depended on what was happening behind me. It was a tough effort by the horse and he was gusty to the line.
“He’s pulled up great and is eating up, he’s in a good frame of mind so we’ll strike while the iron is hot. We’ll look for a race for him over the next couple of weeks, hopefully there is a nice race for him during Grand National week on the synthetic too.
“He seems to like it, he used to love a heavy track back in the day so it’s a bit surprising that he enjoys the synthetic so much. As long as he’s happy going forward, we’ll keep going there.”
Wynne expressed her gratitude for the support of the Nimmo’s, who collected an owner’s double at the meeting with another filly out of broodmare Compact Pussycat, Muzzle Cat, saluting in the maiden staying race for Ross Beckett.
“My boss Neil Coulbeck who I was apprenticed to retired from training, so he asked the Nimmo’s if they would send Zacat to me, and I was delighted as she was my first outside horse,” Wynne said.
“After the accident, I started getting a few more horses. Peecee was racing up north and just not being that competitive, so the owners decided to bring him down to me after Zacat had won a couple of races with us.
“I’m so appreciative for their support, they deserve every success they get.”
Peecee Pussycat was Wynne’s fourth winner as a trainer-jockey, a juggling act she is thoroughly enjoying after questioning whether she would return to the saddle.
“I’m getting used to riding my own horses now and I’m really enjoying it, it’s cool even ringing up to declare yourself on the horse. It’s something I never thought I would get the opportunity to do,” she said.
“I’m loving doing both, the training takes up a lot of my time which I wouldn’t have any other way. As a jockey, you have a lot of spare time to yourself, but I am slowly getting busier at the stables so training will be my future.
“I’ll have to commit to training 100% eventually, but I’m still loving riding and my owners are very supportive in me continuing to race ride as well. It’s hard work, but made so much easier with the people around me.
“I’m moving into a new property with bigger stables soon, so it won’t be long before I’m full time training.
“I have a plan set out a good few weeks in advance, so I know where my horses are going and if there are any clashes I let the trainers now very early. They’ve been great in working around that with me, so I’m pretty lucky.
“I didn’t think I would come back to riding after the accident so I’m glad to be out there enjoying it again.”
Consistent galloper Turf War (NZ) (War Decree) has headlined Wynne’s small team collecting a quartet wins this term, and she is looking forward to having him back at the races alongside several up-and-coming prospects.
“I’ve just got an older horse called Iffindoubtdance into the stable which is very exciting, and Turf War will be back after winning four races for us this season,” she said.
“We have three nice two-year-olds, Let Me Loose has won a trial and would’ve gone to the races but she went a little bit shin-sore so we eased up on her. I’ve got a Churchill gelding (Sir Sigaro) trialling on Tuesday and a Vespa gelding who is not far off trialling as well, we sold his sister Cliodhna Maeve to Australia last year.
“I’m very grateful to have some lovely horses around me, every trainer needs a good horse going around. I’ll be doing my best with all of them.”
