Peter Snowden is a man on a mission. He desperately wants to win the Australian Guineas (1600m, G1) with boom colt Denman and his well-planned assault looks right on target.
The three-year-old moved a step closer to his ‘Grand Final’ at Flemington on 6 March with an effortless win against his own age group at Caulfield on Saturday.
Snowden’s decision to avoid the older horses in the Sportingbet Orr Stakes (1400m, G1) later in the program was rewarded with a win in the Listed $100,000 Wellington Racing Club Stakes (1400m).
The $1.25 favourite speared straight to the front in the small field of six and jockey
Kerrin McEvoy had no cause for concern kicking clear upon turning for a 3.3 length victory.
“They really presented the race to him today. He was in his own comfort zone in front, really relaxed and he had that beyond doubt a long way from home,” trainer Snowden said.
“I’m sounding cocky, but I was confident when they went 100m and he led. One he led and dictated like that they weren’t going to get past him.”
McEvoy agreed with his boss stating that he enjoyed an armchair ride aboard the Darley-owned colt.
“He had an easy time of it and sprinted home really well. I couldn’t be happier with the way he felt,” he said.
The win was
Denman’s second from as many appearances this campaign and continued his build up towards the $750,000 Australian Guineas on Super Saturday.
Snowden explained that he’ll have one more run in the Group 2 $180,000 Angus Armanasco Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on 20 February to bring him to his top for the Group 1 epic.
“It’s the perfect race for him,” he said of the Armanasco. “It’ll give him a really good grounding and there’ll be no excuses come the Guineas. He’ll be as good as I can get him.”
For the second consecutive start, Caulfield Guineas placegetter
Carrara filled the runners-up stall behind Denman with
Most Immediate a close-up third.