Close relations to a couple of former star sprinting mares to debut on Wednesday
Two juveniles closely related to a couple of mares who made a significant impact at the highest level will launch their careers at Sandown this Wednesday.
Imperatriz's younger half-brother I'mateez and Pippie's first foal Samudra will clash in the $50,000 Thoroughbred Club Of Australia 2YO Handicap.
I'mateez will become the fourth foal from Shamardal mare Berimbau to hit the track when he steps out in the 1000-metre event.
He is a half-brother to Imperatriz, a daughter of I Am Invincible who retired a winner of 10 Group 1 races, ranging from 1000m to 1600m, and a tick under $7 million stakes.
I'mateez was snapped up by his trainer Alex Rae, in partnership with Lofty Thoroughbreds, for $200,000 at last year's Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The bay colt has been given a solid grounding for the debut, starting with a jumpout on October 7, followed by three more across summer and another two this campaign.
At the latest, he showed good speed to win over 800m Cranbourne on May 12.
I'mateez is a $21 chance for Wednesday's event in a market headed by Samudra, the $1.90 favourite.
That daughter of Snitzel is out of Pippie, the Written Tycoon speedster who won an Oakleigh Plate and Moir Stakes in 2020.
Samudra was much more popular at the yearling sales than I'mateez and got to $775,000 at last year's Inglis Easter Sale before being knocked down to Te Akau Racing's David Ellis.
In the care of Mark Walker, Samudra has had three jumpouts in preparation for the debut, the latest on April 28 when she travelled wide throughout but swept home over the top of her rivals to win comfortably under light riding.
After Samudra, Pippie had a filly by I Am Invincible, who sold for $1.4m at this year's Easter Sale, before having a colt by the same sire last year.
