Samsara appeals at 2-1 for the Andrews family in the Racing Association Maiden at Kenilworth today after running so well on debut.
Bred and part-owned by Terry and Annabel Andrews and ridden by their son Anthony, she was a totally unfancied 35-1 over this trip three weeks ago but kept on take third, only a neck behind second-placed Emerald Gal who re-opposes and is 17-10 favourite with World Sports Betting.
“I hadn’t expected that and it was her first time on grass,” recalls Greg Ennion who has a share in the filly and adds significantly: “She has improved since then.”
Irish import Emerald Gal started favourite last time but ran as if she needs further –indeed as her pedigree suggested she would – but apparently it is not as straightforward as that.
“She gives you that impression but we tried her over further and she didn’t get it,” says Darryl Hodgson. “Her problem is that she wants some give in the ground and at the moment the going is on top. She will be OK when there is a bit of rain.”
However it would be unwise to dismiss her chance – Kenilworth maidens are littered with horses with a string of placed runs to their name finally coming good against better fancied lightly-raced opposition – and Grant van Niekerk now knows her like the back of his hand. She certainly rates the danger.
Interestingly Joey Ramsden introduces the Western Winter two-year-old Fresnaye and this one opened at 28-10. She could well go close but it is worth noting that she meets the three-year-olds on terms 5.5kg (more than four lengths) worse than weight-for-age.
Rings And Things, at R380 000 the highest-priced of the five sold at auction, has been backed for the first and is now even money. She looks hard to oppose. She had stable companion Hopeful (5-1 here and drawn on the outside) nearly two lengths behind when second to Favola despite racing green on the bend. She had had two good runs up the straight previously.
Richard Fourie gets off Ostinato (supported from 8-1 to 11-2) to ride 25-1 newcomer Gold Kind but explains this is because of owner-retainer obligations. However he adds that he thinks the 1 400m could be a bit far for his former mount.
Varside, backed from 5-2 to 16-10 for race two, has slightly better form than Captain Ram (6-1) and is preferred although it’s worth bearing in mind that the Brett Crawford runner lost valuable ground at the start on debut. But watch out for Querari’s Secret as he was well backed yesterday morning.
Michael Clower
