Samudra prevails in battle of blue bloods at Sandown
Blue-blood juveniles Samudra and I'mateez both made a big impression in their debuts as they fought out a close finish at Sandown on Wednesday.
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Rich pedigrees were on display at Sandown on Wednesday with blue-blood juveniles Samudra and I'mateez fighting out a hotly contested 1000m 2YO Handicap.
Fast filly Samudra, a $750,000 daughter of super stallion Snitzel out of Group 1 winner Pippie denied I'mateez, the half-brother of 10-time Group 1 winner Imperatriz.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Trainer Mark Walker, who ironically conditioned Te Akau champion Imperatriz during her career was most pleased with Samudra's last 100m under pressure from I'mateez and third-placed Latin Boss.
Latin Boss went stride for stride with Samurdra through the first 800m and only relented late.
'(Samudra) was under a lot of pressure but she really dug deep and found,' Walker said.
'Probably going forward she's going to be a better chaser than leader.
'You would've thought she was all done at the 100m but that natural (talent), mum's (Pippie) ability kicked in and she's going to be a much nicer three-year-old, that's for sure.' â€' Racing.com (@Racing) May 21, 2025
• Nichols to unveil well-bred filly after breeder's bad luck
Samudra is set to be spelled for the spring with attention on stakes success.
'She'll keep improving with a bit more time,' Walker said.
Alex Rae, trainer of I'mateez, said the two-year-old Capitalist colt would likely stay in work after a most promising debut.
Rae went into the 1000m event unsure how laidback I'mateez would perform under race pressure.
'He's just been a bit plain in his work late,' Rae said.
'It was good he added a string to his bow today so he's going to make a horse.'
Originally published as Samudra prevails in battle of blue bloods at Sandown on Wednesday Horse Racing
A Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott filly can go back-to-back after breaking her maiden. BEST BETS, INSIDE MAIL Horse Racing
Adam Watt of Dynamic Syndications makes a strong case four of their runners at Goulburn starting with Tact and ending with a $10 shot knocking on the door for his first win.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles

Mercury
an hour ago
- Mercury
‘Was it worth it?': AFL legend's heartbreaking health reveal, Dermott Brereton
Don't miss out on the headlines from AFL. Followed categories will be added to My News. Dermott Brereton has revealed the shocking toll his footy career has had on his body. Arguably one of the hardest men to ever play the game, the five-time premiership star says he is left in crippling pain almost daily. FOX FOOTY, available on Kayo Sports, is the only place to watch every match of every round in the 2025 Toyota AFL Premiership Season LIVE in 4K, with no ad-breaks during play. New to Kayo? Get your first month for just $1. Limited-time offer. The 60-year-old, who played 211 games in the AFL, detailed what he endures after putting his body on the line during the league's toughest period. 'Some mornings my beautiful partner Julie has to put on my shoes and socks for me,' Brereton said while speaking at the Norm Smith Oration at the MCG on Thursday. 'With the pain in my spine, where they put in a cage inserted there, I can't reach. I just can't put on socks and shoes. 'Some days I have to walk down the stairs sideways because I haven't had any cartilage — bone on bone, that is — for 40 years. 'Some days I can't shake hands with other men, and if they do so, I fear they'll re-open some of the broken bones in my hands from defenders' spoils and from when (a rival player) jumped on my hand deliberately. 'Some days I have to crab my way down the stairs because my often half-a-dozen times reconstructed ankle will not flex any more.' Brereton helped from field in the 1989 Grand Final after being struck by opponent Mark Yeates. Brereton and his teammates celebrate winning the 1988 Grand Final. Brereton says the gruelling daily battles have taken a toll on his mental wellbeing. Despite it all he wouldn't change a thing from his career. 'Some days I double up from rancid heartburn from the endless dosages of (painkillers and anti-inflammatories),' he said. 'Some nights I sleep very little because of the arthritis in my shoulder joints. That's from decades of lifting as heavy weights as I could, purely because the position I played required it. 'Some mornings, I pathetically allow myself to become melancholy and even teary over the degeneration and the physical toll that football has taken on my body. 'I often ask myself, in that moment of true misery, when I can't move, that moment of weakness, I'll ask myself, 'Was it worth it?'. 'And the answer's always the same. I'd do it all over again, exactly the same again. 'Maybe next time, though in the next lifetime, I might go a little harder.' Brereton was a key player for the Hawks during their blistering run in the 80s and early 90s when they won five out of nine premierships. Across that same span they appeared in eight Grand Finals, losing twice to Essendon and once to Carlton. During the 1989 Grand Final against Geelong, the Hawthorn centre half forward was taken out in the opening moments of play in a targeted hit that left him with two broken ribs and a ruptured kidney. Famously it wasn't enough to keep him out of the contest as he helped the Hawks win their second straight flag. Brereton ultimately departed the Hawks at the end of the 1993 season and joined the Sydney Swans in 1994 before his illustrious AFL career came to an end in 1995 as a member of Collingwood. He was inducted into the Australian Football Hall of Fame in 1999. More commonly known as Dermie, the Hawthorn icon has become a much loved commentator. Originally published as 'Was it worth it?': AFL legend's heartbreaking health reveal

The Australian
10 hours ago
- The Australian
Jess Tzaferis shines in wet conditions with early double at Morphettville Parks
Jockey Jess Tzaferis travelled to Saturday's racing at Morphettville Parks with a good deal of confidence and it translated to success. A gander at the forecast and clouds on the way into the nine-race card gave Tzaferis plenty of hope with her book of rides all expected to handle the rainy conditions. Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro! Tzaferis, who also holds a licence as a trainer, was able to chalk up an early race-to-race double with Grand Host and High Society Girl before running third on Exalted Fire in the sixth race on the program. 'Not going to lie I was very excited coming to the races today and seeing the weather I was driving through and what was forecasted,' Tzaferis told post-race. 'I thought I had three nice rides and especially with the weather so it's a good day to be at the races.' The first of those wins came aboard veteran galloper Grand Host at his 65th career start. The seven-year-old son of Host enjoyed the wet conditions and fast tempo and was able to get the job done in style to chalk up win number 11. 'He's like fine wine because he just gets better with age,' Tzaferis said. 'Really great result for the team. 'He flew the gates today and I was really making sure he got that bum to switch him off and once he got that bum, I knew he would be very hard to beat. 'Especially given the conditions especially when it's getting wetter, he's only better. 'He's hard rock fit, a seasoned campaigner, knows his job and he's happy doing it.' Just 35 minutes later saw High Society Girl turn in a strong victory in a race where the jockey showed plenty of patience. Trainer Stephen Theodore noted to Tzaferis that High Society Girl is at her best when saved for one last dash and it's exactly what panned out. 'Steve honed it into me last start that she does have that one big dash,' Tzaferis said. 'Lachie (Neindorf) was under pressure quite early into the race and I knew I'd get a break into the corner. 'So I had to bide my time, which is sometimes hard to do when the horse is travelling so well underneath you, but you have to trust the trainers judgement and it paid off.' Read related topics: Weather

Daily Telegraph
10 hours ago
- Daily Telegraph
Jess Tzaferis shines in wet conditions with early double at Morphettville Parks
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. Jockey Jess Tzaferis travelled to Saturday's racing at Morphettville Parks with a good deal of confidence and it translated to success. A gander at the forecast and clouds on the way into the nine-race card gave Tzaferis plenty of hope with her book of rides all expected to handle the rainy conditions. Racenet iQ members get full access to our Pro Tips service, where Greg and our team of professional punters provide daily tips with fully transparent return on investment statistics. SUBSCRIBE NOW and start punting like a pro! Tzaferis, who also holds a licence as a trainer, was able to chalk up an early race-to-race double with Grand Host and High Society Girl before running third on Exalted Fire in the sixth race on the program. 'Not going to lie I was very excited coming to the races today and seeing the weather I was driving through and what was forecasted,' Tzaferis told post-race. 'I thought I had three nice rides and especially with the weather so it's a good day to be at the races.' The first of those wins came aboard veteran galloper Grand Host at his 65th career start. The seven-year-old son of Host enjoyed the wet conditions and fast tempo and was able to get the job done in style to chalk up win number 11. 'He's like fine wine because he just gets better with age,' Tzaferis said. 'Really great result for the team. 'He flew the gates today and I was really making sure he got that bum to switch him off and once he got that bum, I knew he would be very hard to beat. 'Especially given the conditions especially when it's getting wetter, he's only better. 'He's hard rock fit, a seasoned campaigner, knows his job and he's happy doing it.' Just 35 minutes later saw High Society Girl turn in a strong victory in a race where the jockey showed plenty of patience. Trainer Stephen Theodore noted to Tzaferis that High Society Girl is at her best when saved for one last dash and it's exactly what panned out. 'Steve honed it into me last start that she does have that one big dash,' Tzaferis said. 'Lachie (Neindorf) was under pressure quite early into the race and I knew I'd get a break into the corner. 'So I had to bide my time, which is sometimes hard to do when the horse is travelling so well underneath you, but you have to trust the trainers judgement and it paid off.' Originally published as Jess Tzaferis shines in wet conditions with early double at Morphettville Parks