Bluebloods quinella Sandown juvenile race

Trainer Mark Walker was full of praise for promising filly Samudra after she delivered a brave debut win at Sandown on Wednesday.

The Snitzel filly, out of former top sprinter Pippie, showed tenacity to hold off a late surge from I’mateez in the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Handicap (1000m).

Significantly, I’mateez is a half-brother to 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz, also trained by Walker, making the victory a notable one for the stable.

Samudra, sent out as the $1.80 betting sites favourite, appeared to be fading halfway down the straight but responded gamely under Ben Melham to win by a neck. Latin Boss ran third, another long neck back.

“The last 100 metres she was under a lot of pressure, but she dug really deep and probably going forward, she will be a better chaser than leader,” Walker said. “You would have thought she was all done at the 100 metres, but then mum’s ability kicked in.”

Walker explained that Samudra had been a work in progress, needing time to overcome early shin soreness and grow into her frame across three separate preparations.

“She’s always had the ability, but we’ve taken a cautious approach,” he said. “One run this prep and then we’ll look to bring her back for some stakes races as a three-year-old.”

He also noted her future could include stretching out to 1400m, depending on how she continues to develop.

“She’s built like a horse that will keep progressing, and that opens a few doors moving forward,” Walker added.

For more information on Samudra’s next start and to compare markets, visit trusted Australian betting sites.