Sam gets 800

Samantha Ottley’s success at Ashburton today on the Coaster Howe trained harness racing filly Didjaseemiki, (Always B Miki) brought her to her 800th win.

“Coaster said she’s a speed horse but they were going that slow I opted to get going down the back,” Ottley told ‘Sunday Session’ afterwards. “It worked out great because I flushed out Johnny (John Dunn driving Vesta) but he took a wee while to get round.

“We had cover right to the top of the straight which really suited but it’s still a long way down that straight. She stuck on, so that was great.”

The winning margin was a neck, with Vesta finishing second and a head back to favourite Jena in third.

DIDJASEEMIKI REPLAY

Didjaseemiki is out of Idolise, making her a half-sister to Braeview Kelly, Cut N Run and Ohoka Connor.

Ottley’s first winner was Nigel Paul for her mother Denise at Kurow in August 2008.

“People get close to a milestone and they sit there. So I was really hoping I wasn’t going to do that. It’s a big thrill to tick that one off.”

Mark Jones has provided her with 249 winners, Michael House 29 and Regan Todd 23, with a host of other trainers providing good support.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without their support. I’m real grateful.”

Sioux Princess has been her biggest winner with thirteen. Addington 240, Motukarara 53 and Ascot Park at 50 have been her best tracks.

In her fifteen year driving career she’s driven one Group One winner Rocker Band – in the Four Year Old Diamond at Cambridge.

Sam is the first female in New Zealand harness racing history to reach the 800 milestone and the win puts Ottley on 93 wins this season which in itself is a record for female drivers.

The previous highest season tally of seventy eight was held by Sarah O’Reilly (2023).

The next goal Ottley has set herself is to reach 100 for the season.

“It’ll be a massive milestone and something to achieve. But I’m not thinking about it too much. It’ll be what it’ll be.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink