Fitter Samangu ready to pounce in 2026 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes
After two runs back from a lengthy break, Grahame Begg believes Samangu is now ready to produce her best performance when she contests the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.
The mare returned to racing in December after nine months off and initially struggled to find her rhythm.
Begg expected her to be underdone first-up and wasn’t overly concerned when she finished last at Caulfield Heath.
Her second run, however, gave the stable far more encouragement.
“She needed the first run badly and the second run was much more what we wanted to see,” Begg said.
“She ran well in the Standish and was one of the few making ground on the inside, which wasn’t easy.”
He noted the strength of the form with several runners from that race performing strongly since.
“Hedged went on to win after that and she made a nice move at them around the 300,” he said.
“She’s trained on well since and I think she’s just about ready to peak.”
Begg also pointed to Samangu’s strong record at Caulfield as a major positive heading into Saturday’s assignment.
Those assessing the race can find markets available through leading betting markets for the race.
The post Fitter Samangu ready to pounce first appeared on Just Horse Racing.
More Racing News
Sass Appeal's spring targets include Group 1 assignments
Trainer Danny O'Brien has charted a bold spring course for Sass Appeal, with three Group 1 races in his sights as the talented mare returns at Flemington on Saturday.The daughter of So You Think commences her campaign in the VRC Membership Renewals Open (1410m) after a remarkable three-year-old season which...
Shockletz's Melbourne Cup aspirations begin at Flemington
The late, great Bart Cummings famously held the belief that a horse required at least 10,000 metres of racing before it could contend for the Melbourne Cup, a philosophy that often saw the legendary trainer launch his spring campaigns in the Aurie's Star Handicap.While those traditional training methods have largely...
Veteran Bold Mac looks set for strong outing with Alysha Collett
Alysha Collett is poised to carry more than just familial pride into Saturday's Rosehill card when she renews her partnership with a favoured steed, Bold Mac.With her brother Jason not participating at the meeting, any discussion about who secures the ride for their father, Warwick Farm trainer Richard Collett, is...
Columbus and Enviable get James McDonald's backing for Rosehill return
James McDonald anticipates that two exciting racehorses will make their mark in the spring carnival, as he gets set to ride Columbus and Enviable once more at Rosehill on Saturday.The Les Bridge-trained Columbus and Chris Waller's Enviable will be under scrutiny when they compete in separate events, having both resumed...
Cote Atlantique set for Aurie's Star Handicap as Dwyer maps out spring goals
Trainer Henry Dwyer anticipates that Cote Atlantique's existing fitness will be sufficient for him to make a strong impact first-up in the Aurie's Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington this Saturday.The imported galloper from Ireland is returning after competing in Victoria, New Zealand, and Brisbane. Dwyer is of the opinion that...
Joe Pride sets lofty goals as new season kicks off at Rosehill
Trainer Joe Pride initiates every racing season in the same manner – with a pristine whiteboard, two ambitious objectives, and an abundance of optimism.Two simple headings are displayed in the trainer's office: 'metro wins' and 'feature wins'. Next to each, a target number is listed, goals that Pride acknowledges are...
Chris Waller wraps up record season with Randwick Kensington success
Chris Waller has once again rewritten the record books, concluding another landmark season with a pair of victories at Randwick's Kensington track. This success marks his sixteenth consecutive Sydney trainers' premiership, a testament to his enduring dominance.The trainer celebrated wins with Godolphin's promising two-year-old filly Sequinned in the Inglis Xtra...
Anamoe's relative breaks through at Sandown
A sibling to the champion Anamoe has recorded a significant win at Sandown, with the breeding season on the horizon.Blue Willow, a mare by Blue Point from the mare Anamato, who is by Redoute's Choice, secured victory in the IVE> Handicap (1600m) on Wednesday.Although the race did not carry any...
Ciaron Maher establishes permanent Sydney base at Crown Lodge
Ciaron Maher has declared he's found his ultimate Sydney base, officially relocating to the prominent Crown Lodge complex in Warwick Farm, with the prominent trainer anticipating a more substantial metropolitan presence in the upcoming seasons.Maher's initial strategy involved setting up at Leilani Lodge in Randwick and he had begun renovations...
Lindsay Park's Triple Threat for Aurie's Star Handicap
Lindsay Park is poised to unleash a powerful three-pronged assault on this Saturday's Aurie's Star Handicap at Flemington. A significant highlight of the day will be the return of champion jockey Blake Shinn, who is scheduled to ride War Machine. This marks Shinn's first race appearance since sustaining a serious...