Last run for the campaign over 1650m

For her last run this campaign we stepped her up to 165om in a 1MW. Pike went on board and we were hoping she would get a nice run. She was forced to lead again, and raced well up till the corner where it was obvious she was going to struggle to stay in it. This race was always planned to be her last, so we packed her up and sent her back to the paddock for a well earned rest.

Jammed again finishing 4th at Bel over 1600m

This was the day that really disappointed us this campaign. We'd left Amber in the capable hands of Kevin Lever after her last start, so minimize the traveling back and forward from Geraldton. We drew gate 1, and with her good speed we were confident of a super showing. We had a real mix up with the jockeys though. Roy had returned from break and although Pike wanted the ride, we opted for Roy. Unfortunately he could not make the 53kg and by the time we found out, Pike had chosen the eventual winner in Swishy. Jason Whiting who does a good deal of work for Kevin got the ride and we were happy with the choice. After a top start, Amber took a position on the rail (this is proving to be a habbit of her racing style) and was in the perfect position coming to the corner. Sweet Boots, the leader, had hung off the fence coming around the corner at last start and our plan was to hug the rail and take the gap. Well, it didn't work out that way and Sweet Boots stayed her line. Jason had a gap at the top of the straight, but it was quickly closed by Pike on Swishy who then locked Amber in. She never got a crack, and finished close up in 4th behind the leader. A race to forget.

1600m F&M on 9th of May

With the campaign back on, Amber was back at the top again. We stepped her up to the 1600m and moved to Bel for her first start. She drew gate 7 and Roy was back on board. She jumped well, and with nothing else wanting to lead, she stayed at the front setting the pace. She ran a game 2nd, getting run down by Luskin Dancer. We were happy with the run and she proved her ability in her own class over the mile.

First crack back in the city over 1400m

We felt a little unluck for this run, because we had set Amber for a 1400m country challenge race but she came down with a virus and had to take a break. Clive gave her a break and after recovering and heading back to work, we set her for a start in the city with William Pike was on board. She jumped well again from gate 2 and got covered up a bit in the back. She dropped back a bit and coming to the corner was still getting into stride. She ran on well into 3rd place, but we thought the effects of the virus and traveling had taken their toll.

Winning over 1300m as $1.8 fav

After the disappointment of the last run over 1600m, we dropped Amber back over the 1300m. This campaign was more about giving her a chance to enjoy racing by giving her a light prep, and only in sprints up to the mile. We wanted to boost her confidence, and let her build strength without a lot of racing. We still had a question regarding her ability to win over the sprints, as she'd proven in the Oaks as a 3yo that she had ample ability over distance.

We wanted to continue letting her jump and then take a position just off the speed and keep her coming from behind as she was doing. She was sent out a hot fav at $1.8. She jumped beautifully again and by the 800m was camped on the fence one back. The caller, David Wrensted, nailed it when he said "I hope it's not a repeat of last start" when it was obvious she needed an opening to be able to get through. All looked hopeless until the 300m when Roy pushed through the tiring horse outside him, and around the leader who itself laid out for the final 200m. It was a desperate piece of riding from McKay, but he just got up in the final stride. It landed him in the stewards room and he copped a 3 week suspension. See here the result. We were happy with the win, but we were lucky to get the win but it cost us Roy. As were to discover, this went on to play a further part later on in the preparation.

Trapped at 2nd run for stable over 1600m

After the brilliant 1UP win, we set Amber for a 1600m race at Geraldton. She jumped like a shot, positioned well...then got caught as other horses peeled wide at the corner her move came too late. She got blocked behind a wall of horses, with a split coming late...but too late for her. She finished on a game 4th. Click here for race results.

First start new stable...getting the chocolates - Feb 2nd 2007 1300m

After a nice prep, Amber stepped into her first trial on 20th Jan. She won the trial in nice form. She then stepped out in her first race in a CL5 over 1300m with Roy McKay on board. We were very confident going into the race, especially after the solid trial and her further improvement heading into the race. We backed her accordingly.

She jumped well, positioned perfectly and Roy hit the front coming around the bend. She came away a comfortable 2 1/4 length winner.

It was ladies day out, so further to the thrill of nailing the win was the enjoyment on track with part-owner Jeanette Day out with a group of jolly good friends. They celebrated back at the stables with champagne.