Promising New Starter Gives Gangemi Cause For Excitement
19 July, 2018
Thoroughbred
Trainer Chris Gangemi will start three horses at Belmont on Saturday, but one in particular has him very excited.
Samizdat, a half-brother to Samovare, is ready to make his much awaited debut in the Crown Towers Plate (1200m).
“It’s probably the most excited we have been going to the races,” Gangemi told Tabradio.
Considerable interest and pre-race hype surrounds Samizdat’s debut after the son of Not A Single Doubt won both his trials in impressive fashion.
He went shin sore following a 400m trial victory in March, but appears back on track when coming from last to win over 1000m on July 9.
Samizdat, to be ridden by in-form jockey, Shaun O’Donnell, has drawn barrier eight in the field of 10 starters.
“He will have to go back from his draw and be near last, but we will get to see how good he is,” Gangemi said.
“He has a few things against him and will want to be pretty good, but we think he is.
“Hopefully the long Belmont straight will give him time to balance up and come over the top of them.
“We need to get this run into him so we can go to the paddock and come back for a Guineas prep.”
Gangemi is optimistic the stable can secure a race-to-race double with Floyd in the Amelia Park Lodge Sprint (1000m).
Floyd is out to extend his unbeaten second-up record after finishing a half-length to Ambiente when resuming two weeks ago.
“We were really happy with him and he worked to the line strong,” Gangemi said.
“He will go forward, sit in the first couple and looks hard to beat.
“He has trained on well.”
Gangemi is less hopeful of Campaign having an impact in the Listed Belmont Classic (2200m).
The former Sydney galloper is unplaced from two starts since crossing the Nullarbor and will have to improve on his last-start seventh to Come Play With Me and State Prosecutor in Listed Aquanita Stakes (2000m).
“He is probably going to struggle to turn the tables on the two boys who beat him the other day,” Gangemi said.
“The 2200m should suit him and hopefully he can run into the placings.”
Julio Santarelli