We haven’t even entered winter yet, but a couple of imports the Ciaron Maher stable have spring aspirations with will launch campaigns at Sandown this Saturday.
Sammarco and Sayedaty Sadaty will step out in the $150,000 Sportsbet Race Replays Handicap (1800m).
It will be the third Australian start for Sayedaty Sadaty, who ran third-last in last year’s Caulfield Cup and second-last in a 1600m race at Flemington on March 1, but is the Australian debut for Sammarco.
That six-year-old son of Camelot was bred in Ireland but did the bulk of his racing in Germany, where he won five races, including the German Derby (2400m) and Grosser Dallmayr-Preis (2000m) at Group 1 level.
He arrived in Australia last year and had a preparatory campaign, but adapted to his work better this time around and Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said Saturday’s benchmark 100 was the first step in a campaign that hopefully ends in spring.
“Last time we thought he was going OK but once we got to the stage of racing him, we thought we’re better off just putting him away and waiting,” Turnbull said.
“The 1800 is well below his trip, so he will be second half (of the field) finding as bum and hopefully running on, but our plan is to pick our way through winter.
“He’ll probably go along the Banjo Paterson Series-type races and then, all being well, you’re at the doorsteps of spring fit.
“He will be regulation four weeks to five weeks every run, emulating that European style.”
Sammarco, who has had Cranbourne jumpouts over 1200m and 1400m in preparation for Saturday, will be greeted by a familiar face at Sandown with Tempesti, who is now in the care of Matt Cumani, the horse who beat him in a 2200m Group 3 at San Siro in November 2023.
Sammarco has 59.5kg in Saturday’s event, below only Arran Bay (60.5kg) and Forgot You (60kg), while four-year-old Anodin gelding Sayedaty Sadaty is on the 53kg limit.
“He’s actually quite well handicapped for how exposed he is – he ran fifth against City Of Troy in the Derby – and, again, 1800 is the bottom of his trip,” Turnbull said.
“But this horse does have a bit of speed, so where he lands will be pretty interesting, because I don’t think you want to drag him out of the race because he’s not going to have enough change-up speed to make an impression.”
Jamie Melham will partner Sayedaty Sadaty, an $8.50 chance who has barrier one, while John Allen has the job aboard Sammarco ($16) from gate four in the field of 11.
