Sampeah Snatches Third

Sampeah finished strongly to take third in the Group Three Sportingbet Powered By William Hill Blue Diamond Prelude (colts & geldings) over five and a half furlongs at Caulfield, Australia, on Saturday, February 14.

The two-year-old Exceed And Excel colt was having his second start after quickening away from rivals at Rosehill Gardens over the same trip on November 29.

Sampeah, trained by John O'Shea and partnered by Chad Schofield, broke fine but became outpaced and dropped back to second last of the 14-strong field.

He was switched wide with just over a furlong remaining and came with a storming run to snatch third on the line, beaten nearly three lengths by Of The Brave whose time was 1m 3.66s on good ground.

John O'Shea said: "Sampeah was on and off the bridle throughout the first three furlongs.

"Once he hit the straight, he took off and made up a large amount of ground towards the line. This was a very impressive performance.

"He will head to the Blue Diamond (Group One, 6f, Caulfield, February 28) and should be very competitive with the blinkers on."

Stable companion Bantam (Craig Williams) flattened out to finish seventh and will also be aimed at the Blue Diamond.