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By Gary Harley

Kris Lees's blueblood Sammy can take another step towards convincing racegoers that he will fulfil the promise he displayed early in his career when he contests the Rascals Burgers Benchmark 64 Handicap (1250m) at Saturday’s Newcastle race meeting.

It’s the second day of Newcastle Jockey Club’s Spring Carnival and it is a high-quality provincial program.

Sammy (Dylan Gibbons) cruises home at Newcastle. Image by Bradley Photographers

Sammy (Medaglia D’Oro-Samantha Miss) has had 11 starts for two wins and six placings.

In October 2020, the stable thought enough of him to contest the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes at Randwick.

John Singleton bred and races the four-year-old and a decision was made during his winter spell to geld him.

Sammy has had three starts since and he is in career-best form.

An unlucky first-up run at Gosford in July was followed by a close third at Scone.

Third-up on this Newcastle track on September 4 he won a Newcastle Class 1 by 8.65 lengths!

Lees, not to be one who gets carried away, said on the day that it appeared the gelding’s operation had turned the horse around. Lees's apprentice Dylan Gibbons rode the horse last start and he has the mount again claiming 3kg.

Newcastle's leading trainer could bookend the program. Sammy contests the final event while his American-bred stayer Daysan will be hard to beat in the opening event the Red Funnel Benchmark 64 Handicap(2300m).

The five-year-old made up many lengths when beaten into fourth in a Scone 1700m Class 1 in his Australian debut on August 12. Second-up Daysan stormed home to win a 2000m Class 1 at Hawkesbury. The longer trip on Saturday won’t be a problem.

The Matthew Dunn-trained mare Six Again has bright prospects in the 900m Maiden Plate. In her only start, Six Again was a close second in a Hawkesbury maiden in April. She has been trialling well.

View the final fields with full form & race replays for Newcastle here