WELL BRED gelding Samsonic made up for a couple of lackluster performances in recent weeks when he scored a plugging victory in the TROA Maiden/Class 1 Handicap over 2100 metres in Launceston today.
The Gary White-trained five-year-old won his maiden at Devonport in June after 20 unsuccessful attempts but he has put in a couple of ordinary efforts leading up to this most recent performance.
Samsonic led at his previous start last week in Hobart where he set a cracking pace only to capitulate over the final 300 metres.
But allowed to settle by rider David Pires the gelding cruised just off the pace and when Pires let him slide to the front he kept grinding away.
Trusty began a run 550 metes out and cruised up to Samsonic in the home straight but she was unable to find enough to haul him in and failed by a half length with Rayos a close-up third
White wasn’t at the meeting but stable foreman David Moore said it was an overdue win.
“This horse is a grinder and keeps plugging away at the same bat and this was an ideal race for him, especially the way it panned out in the run,” Moore said.
It was Samsonic’s 24th start with his record now standing at two wins and four minor placings for almost $27,000 in stakes.
The gelding is owned and raced by David Evans, Pam Brazendale and Lesley Drake.
Evans was thrilled with the win but like White he was unable to attend the meeting.