No regrets over Cup

Otaki trainer Howie Mathews has no regrets about pulling Sampson from Wellington Cup contention.

Despite a convincing one and a half length upset win in the $70,000 Group III Trentham Stakes (2100m) yesterday, a key lead up race to next week’s $250,000 Wellington Cup, Sampson is standing by his decision.

He pulled Sampson from the Group III Wellington Cup before the last payment amid concerns about him carrying the 60kg top-weight when he held a rating of only 90.

At the time, Mathews warned the Wellington Cup could become a ‘‘glorified hack race’’ unless something was done to change the handicap conditions of the event.

‘‘I pulled him out of the Wellington Cup and duly so,’’ Mathews told Trackside TV following yesterda’s victory.

Sampson, a seven-year-old Dubai Destination gelding, carried 55kg to victory in the Trentham Stakes and returned $22.30 on the tote.

Mathews described the win as a fairytale moment for his wife Lorraine and her good friend Janice Street, who race Sampson.

‘‘She rides him every morning, Lorraine does,’’ Mathews said.

There are no set plans for Sampson’s immediate future but the camp has no shortage of options.

‘‘My ultimate dream would be to go to Brisbane, that’s my ultimate dream but maybe I’ll go to Auckland or look at an Avondale Cup or something,’’ he said. ‘‘We’ll see how he pulls up.’’

Matthews paid tribute to jockey Reese Jones for the winning ride aboard Sampson and claimed he was the most under-rated jockey in New Zealand.

Jones sat up well before the post as Sampson cruised to victory over race favourite Authentic Paddy with a further half head back to Promise To Reign in third.

Wellington Cup favourite Bloodstream finished seventh.