Awapuni Gold Cup Goes to NZB Graduate Sampson (NZ)

Bought for just $20,000 at the 2011 Festival Sale at Karaka, well-performed stayer Sampson (NZ) (Dubai Destination) lifted his career prize-money earnings to $266,025 with victory in Saturday’s $100,000 Group 2 City of Palmerston North Awapuni Gold Cup (2000m).

Ridden by Reese Jones for trainer Howie Mathews, the seven-year-old charged home from the back of the 11-horse field to beat fellow Karaka graduate Five To Midnight (NZ) (Domesday) by half a length.

It was the second stakes win for Sampson, who had previously won the Group 3 Trentham Stakes and placed in the Group 2 Wellington Cup and Group 3 Manawatu Cup.

“It’s amazing,” Mathews said. “If this had been a 2000-metre race on a firm track, I suppose he couldn’t have won it. But the way the track is, and how far off the rail they’re going, it was probably more like 2100 or 2200. It made it into a true staying race.

“Jonesy rode a great race and the horse finished it off really well.”

Sampson was bred by Warren Pegg and was offered by Leanach Lodge at the Festival Sale, where he was purchased by Mr PE and Mrs N Izett.