Grahame Begg has never been afraid to think creatively when placing his horses, and that approach continues with the return of promising mare Samangu at Caulfield Heath on Saturday.

The five-time winner resumes in the Sportsbet More Places Handicap (1000m), with Stakes targets already mapped out should she perform to expectations.

Begg has identified the Listed W J Adams Stakes (1000m) on January 24 and potentially the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) as suitable summer assignments.

Samangu, who hasn’t raced since her Caulfield win over 1100m in March, had her spring plans interrupted by a minor setback, forcing Begg to reset with a summer campaign.

A lack of suitable races in December prompted Begg to seek a reclassification of Saturday’s event.

“We got them to change the rating of the race as there was no race for her to run in during the whole month of December,” Begg said.

“She’s ready to run now but then she has to wait another five weeks for the Adams if we don’t decide to give her another run.

“We said there was a benchmark 84, so why not make it a benchmark 90, and get a wider spread.

“They did listen and they changed it, but she’s still got a big weight with the claim.”

Samangu shares topweight of 60.5kg but drops to 58.5kg after Logan Bates’ claim.

Begg expects the mare to improve off the run following two trials on the Heath track.

“It’s a kick off point for her,” he said.

“She’s had two trips over to Caulfield to trial and we’re happy with the way she’s going, but the 1000 metres may be a tad short first-up, especially with a horse like Beast Mode in it.

“She’s probably going to improve with the run under the belt as she’s a big girl, but very talented, and we’re hopefully going to get to the Oakleigh Plate with her.”

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