Racing: Winning way can continue

Whatwasthat is in a fresh state for the 1400m maiden at Oamaru today. Photo by Matt Smith.
Whatwasthat is in a fresh state for the 1400m maiden at Oamaru today. Photo by Matt Smith.
There is no rest at the start of the new season for Samantha Wynne, but the Irish-bred jockey would not have it any other way as she travels to Oamaru today.

Wynne finished last season as the South Island's top apprentice for the second year running, and has already opened her 2015-16 account courtesy of a win aboard Silhouette Noire at Riccarton last week.

Her South Island apprentice title win last season came despite her two-week sabbatical in Victoria, riding in both country and metropolitan meetings.

''It was a great experience and I got to meet some lovely people. I learned a lot over there and enjoyed the racing also,'' Wynne said.

''I was happy to come out for the second year in a row as the leading apprentice down here. It got exciting at the end, but I was happy and relieved to come out with the outcome.''

Wynne describes her rides today - Ruby Tuesday (race 1), Whatwasthat (race 4), No No No Yes (race 5) and Flossy The Cat (race 6) - as four ''decent chances''.

''They're all in with a chance and I'll be confident on all of them,'' she said.

''Fingers crossed we'll have a bit of luck.''

Wynne opted for the Jim Burns-trained Whatwasthat as her best ride. The 6yr-old is fresh-up after rounding out his season with two seconds in the autumn.

The son of Iffraaj is yet to score in 24 starts, but looks like he should win a maiden before too long.

''He had a few tough runs last season and I think he will be better for the break,'' Wynne said.

''It's his fresh-up run so I won't go hard on him - wherever he lands and wherever he's happy - but he does put himself in the race so more than likely we'll be up there.''

Ruby Tuesday has to carry 59kg, but her form suggests she should be a genuine threat in the rating 65 2200m.

''There's just a bit of query about the weight, but I think she's the best horse in the field,'' Wynne said.

Wynne rode the Thorn Park mare to fourth three starts ago at Ashburton, and the 5yr-old's last result was a tough second at Riccarton on Saturday.

''She went a really good race the other day and fought on to the end so hopefully that will leave her spot on for tomorrow.

''It was a dead track at Ashburton and she seemed to enjoy it, so she'll be plenty fit for it.''

No No No Yes is on debut over 1200m but impressed Wynne in track work against Miss Three Stars last week before she had a run on him on Monday.

''I got a feel of him and jumped him out on Monday and he was pretty smart out of the gates. We have a wide draw but I think we will put ourselves in the race and go from there.

''He has got a bit of talent, this fella, but we will know more tomorrow.''

Flossy The Cat has mixed her form this winter, although she does suit a dead track.

''Hopefully we have a bit of luck tomorrow and if she puts her best foot forward, I think she'll have a good chance.''

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