Samizdat Back For Beaufine Stakes
A minor leg injury has kept Samizdat out of racing for eight months, but the high-priced yearling is poised to make his comeback at Belmont on the weekend.
The Not A Single Doubt gelding, bought for $325,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Perth yearling sale, resumes in the Listed Beaufine Stakes (1000m).
The Chris Gangemi-trained galloper hasn’t raced since last year’s Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and missed the autumn carnival with a hoof abscess.
“Fingers crossed he will go to the Beaufine Stakes first-up,” said stable representative, Michael Gangemi.
“I’m mindful of going the early crow, because he has gone close to coming back early previously.
“They might be a touch sharp for him over 1000m, but he will be absolutely launching late.
“If we can get a bit of rain that will help his feet, but we will wait and see what happens.
As a three-year-old Samizdat won the Magic Millions WA Trophy (1200m) at Pinjarra and last year defeated Regal Power in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes (1400m).
A winner in three of four first-up starts, Samizdat will be joined in the Beaufine Stakes by stable mates Lockroy, Saracino and Super Maxi.
Chris Gangemi is after his third Beaufine Stakes in six years following wins to Rock Magic (2015) and Durendal (2018).
Meanwhile Gangemi (Michael) said stable flag bearer Rock Magic is due to return home after being stranded in Melbourne since March.
The rising 11-year-old has not raced since the Group 1 William Reid and is travelling by float after flight transportation could not be secured.
The $1.5 million stakes earner is expected back in Perth either late Wednesday night or Thursday morning.
Gangemi said Condor Heroes had recovered from a hoof abscess and will resume in the back half of the Belmont season.
The former Sydney gelding is unbeaten in his two Perth starts after he was bought for $10,000 in an online sale.
Julio Santarelli