UK: Samitar iIns Albany Stakes

Samitar struck for the Mick Channon stable by outstaying the opposition in the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot.

A half-sister to Nijoom Dubai, who won this race for the same trainer in 2007, the 16-1 shot powered past Inetrobil inside the final furlong to take this Group Three prize in convincing fashion.

Given a vigorous ride by Gold Cup-winning jockey Jamie Spencer, Samitar secured victory by three-quarters of a length from Inetrobil, with Illaunglass another length and three-quarters away in third.

The 5-4 favourite Teolane appeared not to act on the rain-softened ground and never got into the race.

Channon said: "We've had our fair share of bad luck this week, what with the Coventry (Gatepost) and a few other races. But I kept saying to everybody they were running great, we just need them to win.

"I believed in this filly, and this was the plan. She's a nice filly, but she's just a shell of a horse at the moment. We may give her a month off and look for something in September."

Spencer added: "She gets the trip well, she's bred to stay and her half-sister (Nijoom Dubai) won the race.

"She can do no more than win. She's a rangy filly and I'm sure she can only improve as the year goes on. Who knows if she'll get a mile - hopefully she will."

Harry Herbert, racing manager for owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said of Inetrobil: "We're absolutely over the moon. She's never been off the bridle before and it's quite difficult to try to make the running in that ground.

"She looks very, very good, and I would think she would probably go for the Cherry Hinton (at Newmarket)."


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