Sam Nien’s consistency rewarded in 3YO Trotters Final

The ultra consistent Sam Nien (Volstead) scored his most important win to date when he outsprinted his rivals In the $125,000 Nutrien Equine Three Year Old Trotters Final for colts and geldings.

It was a clever drive by Darren Pace who from the inside of the second row was able to run up behind the leader Ijustcalledtosay who held off the field early to remain in front.

Zarski was settled down early by James Herbertson and he went around the field three wide to eventually settle outside Ijustcalledtosay.

Ijustcalledtosay beat off Zarski but then could not hold off Sam Nien who took the inside run to finish powerfully for a win for just under two metres from Ijustcalledtosay. Sam Nien rated 2.00.5 for the 1720 metres.

Outsider Voldagha finished on well for third but the run of the race was by Lotus Louise who flashed home for fourth. Uncharacteristically Lotus Louise broke up as the field was despatched and settled near the rear of the field and was held up in the run.

SAM NIEN SEP 13 REPLAY

The dam of Sam Nien was Sassy Pinevale who returned an exceptional 1.57.6 with 17 wins from 83 starts including the Group 2 Cranbourne Trotters Cup. She also has left the very speedy filly Electrojet.

This was Darren Pace’s best win for some time.

“I won a three year old Group 2”. Of Sam Nien he stated

“He’s a quirky little fellow. He has his own ways of doing things. As a two year old he had issues. And he was making mistakes”.

“Since he was with me he has only galloped once. But he’s really starting to race his best in recent times”.

“We have three aims with him, the Victoria Trotters Derby, Sires stakes and the Breeders Crown”.

“We might even make a hit and run with the South Australia Trotters Derby but that will depend on how he’s going at the time”. 

Sam Nien is raced by Sue Thompson whom Darren Pace has known along with her husband Joe for many years but this is the first horse he has trained for her. Sam Nien was purchased for $30,000 at the Melbourne Yearling Sales.

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink