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By Ray Hickson

Perth trainer Chris Gangemi says the prizemoney on offer in the inaugural $7.5 million The Golden Eagle in November is so attractive he’s willing to forgo his local summer carnival and target the race with promising gelding Samizdat.

The three-year-old made it four wins from five starts when he lumped 62kg to victory at Belmont last Saturday.

Gangemi said Samizdat still has a way to go, obviously, to reach the heights of Perth’s star filly Arcadia Queen but is keen to target the $500,000 Silver Eagle (1300m) on October 12 and a free ticket into the big dance.

“A couple of the big guns shouldn’t be in the Silver Eagle and if we run top three we have a crack at the big one,’’ he said.

“It’s ridiculous prize money. It’ll rule him out of our carnival but a $7.5m race is next level. He can race in $1 million races here next year.’’

Arcadia Queen is the $4.50 equal TAB favourite with Doncaster winner Brutal in The Golden Eagle, run over 1500m at Rosehill on November 2.

Samizdat wins at Belmont on June 29

She’s now trained by Chris Waller and has already secured The Star’s slot in The TAB Everest so Gangemi doesn’t have to worry about facing her just yet.

Samizdat, a half-brother to classy mare Samovare, will have a two week freshen up and will likely have one run before heading east.

His rating will be in the low 80s in Perth following his latest win so he’ll probably need another impressive victory to push closer to 90 and ensure his place in the Silver Eagle.

“I’m sure we can find a 1200m race a couple of weeks out from when we need to be starting in Sydney,’’ he said.

“If he’s still racing well and warrants a trip we’ll try to get there. He’s a bloody nice horse so all going well we will head over for a crack.

“We think he is going to get better as he gets over further and has more racing. Four out of his five starts he’s run the quickest sectionals of the whole day.

“He’s only four once and if you have one who might be competitive in a $7.5m race it’s enticing to head over and see how you go.’’

Gangemi has raced in Sydney previously, with ex-NSW galloper Rock Magic who contested the 2017 TJ Smith Stakes won by Chautauqua.

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