There was a time when trainer Bjorn Baker feared Samadoubt’s racing career might be over but the gallant gelding has fought his way back to fitness and into the Group One arena.
The seven-year-old will line up in the Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday, his first start since suffering a tendon injury following his fourth to Happy Clapper in the 2019 Craven Plate.
It has been a long road back and Baker is thrilled the horse has come this far.
“It’s good to see him back. He’s in great order, he’s had a couple of jump outs and a couple of trials and he’s trialled really well,” Baker said.
“He looks good. We couldn’t be happier with him from that point of view, so we’re excited about Saturday.
“There is no fitness like match fitness, but he’s done plenty of groundwork prior to coming into the stable and he’s done plenty since coming in.”
Samadoubt was enjoying a career-best campaign when he was struck down by injury.
He was a surprise winner of the 2019 Group One Winx Stakes but showed it was no fluke when he captured the Chelmsford Stakes at his next start.
He led in both races and Baker says Josh Parr will be adopting the same tactics when he takes on the likes of Bivouac, Dreamforce and Savatiano on Saturday.
“He’s got the blinkers on first up and we won’t change anything. We will look to be positive and go straight to the front,” Baker said.
“He looks to still have the zest for racing so that’s something for sure.”