Emerging stayer Samuel Langhorne (NZ) (Shocking) will try and secure a start in the Melbourne Cup in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes after his impressive win in the William Newton VC (2500m) on Thursday at Flemington.
In an unusual twist he will now clash with Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking), who was the pen name of the famous 19th century writer.
Samuel Langhorne’s trainer Michael Kent bought both horses when they were yearlings but sold Mark Twain to Terry Henderson and his OTI group.
Samuel Langhorne circled the field before the turn eight wide with his “ears flapping” according to Kent.
Kent didn’t mind jockey Blaike McDougall’s move saying that it was a slowly run race and he was pulling too much.
“He’s a very fit horse. He needed to get moving and he’s got a massive tank. Blake Shinn get on slowing up in the lead so he had to go,” he said.
“He couldn’t hold him. He had to do it. He had the race won early but he took a long time to win.”
Kent said the Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) on May 18 which carries the golden ticket to the winner into the Melbourne Cup was the perfect race for Samuel Langhorne.
“I don’t know whether he’s good enough. He’s up in class but the further he goes the better he goes and he might like more of a test.”
