Trainer Mark Walker has high hopes for Samudra after the filly showed a ton of courage to score on debut at Sandown.
And ironically, the horse Samundra defeated was I’mateez, the younger half-brother to Imperatriz who Walker prepared to win 10 Group 1 races.
A daughter of Snitzel from the dual Group 1 winning mare Pippie, Samudra took out the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Handicap (1000m) on Wednesday.
Sent out the $1.80 betting sites favourite under Ben Melham, Samudra looked to be in trouble half-way down the straight before defeating I’mateez ($21) by a neck with Latin Boss ($3.40) a long neck off in third place.
The blue-blooded Samudra grits her teeth, staving off the challenge of her opponents to make a winning debut 🙌
Odds on backers won’t want that again 😅@BMelham pic.twitter.com/2Rks3hxM7T
— Racing.com (@Racing) May 21, 2025
Walker said he was impressed with the fight Samudra showed when challenged in the straight after believing the filly was beaten half-way down the straight.
“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 this was Samudra’s third preparation at his Cranbourne stable.
Samudra was showing signs of shin soreness in her first preparation and was given a break and then earlier in the year just wasn’t progressing as Walker’s team would have liked, so she was turned out again.
Walker said Samudra was again likely to be heading for a break ahead of a spring campaign.
“She always has been a lovely big girl, but we’ve handled her with kid gloves,” Walker said.
“She went shin sore in the spring and Ben (Gleeson) and I just thought be nice and patient and cuddle her along.
“We thought we’d look after her, give her one run, put her away and then we can come back for Black Type as a three-year-old.”
Asked what trip he expects Samudra to get out to, Walker said she may stretch to 1400m.
“You would think 1000 metres to 1200 metres would be ideal, but as three-year-olds they can surprise you and get out to 1400 metres,” he said.
“She’s a big girl and will keep on improving with a bit more time.”
