Welcome to a short update from WJB as the winter chill takes grip Down Under following months of uninterrupted rain on the eastern seaboard.
With Sydney unable to commence Saturday racing on a Good track since the 29th January, the entire carnival of pattern and prizemoney races has been shaped by horses who are able to motor like ducks.
What this means for form lines in Spring if the deluge stops and firmer surfaces are seen will be of interest.
Perhaps Australia must pay more attention to soft ground form abroad!
HUETOR LANDS THE GROUP ONE DOOMBEN CUP
Having won his first three races in Australia in late 2021, a winter program was designed by Peter & Paul Snowden to see what level Huetor (Archipenko) could compete at with the intention of taking part in the Group One Doomben Cup and Group Two Q22 in mid June.
With two lead up runs under his belt, Huetor faced stiff competition on paper from the $1.22 favourite, Zaaki (Leroidesanimaux). With the race having been pushed back a week due to the state of the Doomben track, the 100m rise to 2100m and track transfer to the much drier Eagle Farm proved to his liking.
Positioned midfield by Kerrin McEvoy, Huetor travelled extremely well before quickening nicely to win by 0.5L from the fast finishing and regally bred, Maximal (Galileo).
Purchased privately in France last year by WJB with the assistance of Meridian International, Snowden Racing’s Colum McCullagh – connections appear to have landed a very promising middle distance prospect. With his prizemoney now just shy of $900,000, the Q22 next Saturday will be his last race this preparation before a well deserved spell.
Huetor looks one to follow for the Melbourne Spring Carnival in October & November.
GALAXIE GOLD A CLOSE SECOND AT GROUP TWO LEVEL IN FRANCE
Galaxie Gold following morning exercise
A winner of two from four starts in the South West of France in the lead up to last weeks Group Two Prix Hocquart over 2200m at Paris Longchamp, Galaxie Gold (Dariyan) was narrowly denied success in his first attempt at black type.
Bred and raced by Haras D’Haspel, following his win over 2200m at La Teste Buch, a partnership was formed with Gerard Augustin-Normand and Darren Thomas’s Seymour Bloodstock with the assistance of Mark Pilkington and Meridian International.
He will now look to target further black type before joining the Snowden stable in due course.
MIDWEST MAKES IT SIX FROM SEVEN FOR THE PREPARATION
Stopping the clock over half a second quicker than the stakes race won by Extreme Warrior (Extreme Choice) over the same distance later in the day, Midwest (Zoustar) showed his customary gate speed before leading throughout to land the $200,000 Vobis Dash.
Programmed brilliantly by Anthony & Sam Freedman, Midwest was able to win six races for the preparation and manage to avoid the wrath of the handicapper – heading for a spell with a rating of 87.
Having shown his ability to run slick times this preparation, a spring campaign awaits which will allow him to continue his progression through the grades before attempting black type.
We hope you have enjoyed this short update and look forward to seeing you at a sales complex or racecourse, somewhere around the globe!