Amber Grey Set To Up The Ante At Sandown

Jockey Craig Newitt is hoping he can help improve the luck of Amber Grey when he races at Sandown tomorrow.

Amber Grey will compete in the Le Pine Funerals Handicap over 1,800 metres just a week and a half after he finished an unlucky second at Kyneton.

The five-year-old entire struck interference at the 400 metre make of the Midland Express Handicap on January 8 before fighting back to finish 1.5 lengths off winner Scenic Scene.

Trainer Michael Templeton is hopeful Amber Grey will progress into a fine stayer.

“He’s shown us encouraging signs he’s going to be a nice stayer and it was pleasing to see how he reacted the other day at Kyneton after getting shuffled back to last,” Templeton said.

“He hit the line really strongly so that was really pleasing I thought.

“I dare say Froggy (Newitt) would even admit he got caught napping but we’ve given him another chance because he’s a top-class jockey and he’ll repay us on Wednesday hopefully.”

The Galileo entire is a new addition to Templeton’s stable and will be having just his third start for the trainer.

Amber Grey was originally trained in Ireland by Coolmore trainer Aidan O’Brien before having a brief spell with Robert Hickmott.

The horse was then purchased for $50,000 by clients of trainer Michael Templeton’s stable.

“It was probably enough money for a horse that has won only one race,” Templeton said.

“But from what we’ve seen of him, he’s only had two starts for us for two seconds and it looks like they’ll get that money back at this stage.

Amber Grey has won just one of his eight race starts, but is yet to finish outside the top two under the guidance of Templeton.

 

 

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