Grahame Begg is confident Samangu is nearing peak condition as she lines up in Saturday’s Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes at Caulfield.
The five-year-old mare returns for her third run this preparation after spending nine months on the sidelines following a setback after her last win in March.
Begg admitted her first-up run on the Caulfield Heath was below expectations but felt she showed marked improvement at her next start.
“She was always going to need the first run,” Begg said.
“She missed the kick and it was only a short race, so it didn’t tell us much.
“I was much happier with her run in the Standish. She was the only horse on the inside making ground and that’s never easy there.”
The trainer believes the form has since been franked, particularly with Hedged winning at Pakenham after that race.
“She made a nice run at them around the 300 and we thought that was encouraging,” Begg said.
“She’s trained on well since and I think she’s ready to show her best now.”
Begg added that Samangu’s record at Caulfield gives him confidence, particularly on the bigger track where she has previously been unbeaten.
With conditions expected to suit, punters can assess her prospects through leading racing betting markets ahead of Saturday’s feature.
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