Idyllic Step Towards Melbourne for Samizdat

Last start winner Samizdat (Not a Single Doubt-Sambar, by More than Ready) is on target for Saturday's Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes despite a change in jockey, reports rwwa.com.au. Ridden by Clint Johnston-Porter for his Listed Belmont Handicap win, Samizdat will be ridden by Brad Parnham on Saturday. Brad is back aboard," co-trainer Michael Gangemi said. "He was obviously committed to Indian Pacific last start. He's done all the work on the horse all prep. He is rapt to get back on." Gangemi believes conditions are perfect for Samizdat. "The biggest thing for me is 1300m second-up, weight for age and on a track that he likes. He's meeting the horses he beat the other day better at the weights. It's the perfect platform to go second up. He's improving and on paper he should be very, very hard to beat." Samizdat has won seven of his 19 starts and will head to Melbourne after Saturday's run if all goes well. "If he does good, he will go three weeks into the Gr1 Rupert Clarke," Gangemi said. "1400m is where you want to see him start to peak. The longer straights and a bit of give in the tracks will definitely help him." A $325,000 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale graduate, offered by Amelia Park, Samizdat has earned over $580,000. He is a half-brother to Group 1-placed Group-2 winner Tiger of Malay (Extreme Choice) and Group 3 winner Samovare (Savabeel).