Samantha Fletcher kicks off 2025 season aboard Buzz Assault
Samantha Fletcher got her 2025 season underway when she guided the Ryan Williams-conditioned Buzz Assault to a thrilling victory in the $700,000 Little Ascot OTB Trophy on Saturday, January 11.
In the four-year-old and upward Optional Claiming ($350,000-$250,000) event that included native-bred six-year-olds and upward (non-winners of two), Buzz Assault, an eight-year-old grey/roan gelding, proved too strong for his rivals, taking the win by a length and a quarter over 5 ½ furlongs (1,100m).
Fletcher’s tactical ride was instrumental in securing the win. She positioned Buzz Assault perfectly, tracking
NuttinBut Trouble (Oshane Nugent) from close range in second place before making a decisive move going into the half-mile (800m) turn. Once in front, Buzz Assault began to open up on rivals.
Although he began to tire inside the final furlong, Buzz Assault had done enough to hold on, with Conundrum (Andrew Wright) and Last Dance (Richie Shakes) finishing second and third, respectively. The winning time for the event was 1:10.1 (23.3 x 47.2).
— Ruddy Allen