Mark Walker is optimistic about Samudra’s future following her determined debut win at Sandown on Wednesday afternoon.

The filly, a daughter of Snitzel and Group 1-winning mare Pippie, landed the Thoroughbred Club Of Australia Handicap (1000m) with a gutsy performance in the home straight.

Adding further intrigue to the result, Samudra narrowly defeated I’mateez, a younger half-brother to Walker’s former stable star Imperatriz, a 10-time Group 1 winner.

Backed as the $1.80 betting sites favourite, Samudra looked under pressure at the 200m mark but rallied under Ben Melham to win by a neck. Latin Boss filled third, a further long neck behind.

“The last 100 metres she was under a lot of pressure, but she dug really deep and probably going forward, she will be a better chaser than leader,” Walker said. “You would have thought she was all done at the 100 metres, but then mum’s ability kicked in.”

Walker noted that the stable had taken a patient approach, giving Samudra two previous preps that were abandoned due to shin soreness and immaturity.

“We’ve been really gentle with her, gave her time when she needed it,” Walker said. “She had one run now, we’ll give her a break and aim for some Black Type races as a three-year-old.”

While she looks sharp over sprint distances now, Walker hinted that Samudra may eventually get out to 1400m as she matures.

“She’s only going to get better with time. She’s a big girl, and she’s got scope to improve further,” he said.

Track her progress and view updated odds at top betting sites in Australia.