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‘She has always been a natural’: Peter Snowden’s million-dollar baby Sakima faces big test at Randwick

Trainer Peter Snowden is keen put the above average ability Sakima has shown him since day one to the test when the million-dollar baby has her spring audition at Royal Randwick this Saturday.

Mitch Cohen
3 min read
July 26, 2024 - 4:21PM
Sakima wins at Royal Randwick Kensington track on 17 July 2024. Picture: Bradley Photos
Sakima wins at Royal Randwick Kensington track on 17 July 2024. Picture: Bradley Photos

Trainer Peter Snowden is keen put the above average ability Sakima has shown him since day one to the test when the million-dollar baby has her spring audition at Royal Randwick this Saturday.

The daughter of Snitzel has only been restricted to a handful of starts during her juvenile campaign but has made a strong impression around the Snowden yard since it took a $1.25 million bid to snare the filly at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale last year.

“She has always been a natural, an athlete and a quick learner,” Snowden said.

“From day one she has shown us she has got ability and she has just kept going.

“Saturday will gives us the heads up on how high we go this time in or go back out again so it’s a bit of a sit and watch.”

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Sakima will attempt to make it two wins on the bounce when she takes on a competitive field of juveniles in the Ranvet Open Handicap (1100m).

She was only given one start in her first preparation, working home strongly for fifth in a 1000m event at Randwick Kensington in March.

The filly was given a short break after the ominous debut performance before making a slashing return at the same venue earlier this month.

Sakima only had one runner behind her in an 1100m event and showed a sustained turn of speed to run over the top of her rivals first up from a spell.

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“She did a good job last start,” Snowden said.

“She has always shown us a little bit.

“Even her first start last time in was quite solid so it was no surprise to see what she did the other day.

“I am happy with her, she will definitely run well again and there is good speed in the race which should set up well for her.”

Godolphin colt Tarpaulin ($1.90) is the clear horse to beat in the opening event however there has been a sustained betting move for Qatars Choice, who has been slashed from $15 into $6.

Sakima is a $9 chance with Tyler Schiller jumping back aboard the filly.

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The Snowdens will also unleash Kadall in the ATC Thank You Trainers Benchmark 72 Handicap (1300m) in which the three-year-old is a $14 chance.

Kadall has been very consistent since debuting for the stable with three wins and four placings from nine runs to date.

The son of Capitalist was third behind In Flight in his first-up assignment a fortnight ago and derived plenty of benefit from the run.

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The Snowdens will make use of Jett Stanley’s 2kg claim to get Kadall in with 57kg.

“Kadall ran at a pretty good level last preparation and I think second and third up where his best runs will come,” Snowden said.

“Getting him out to 1300m is a plus and the 2kg off him should help. I think he can run well.”

Stanley will also pilot Sir Artie ($14) for the Snowdens if the stable decides to run the gelding from an outside draw in the ATC Thank You Stable Staff Benchmark 78 Handicap (1300m).

Snowden says it’s likely the Flying Artie will be forced to take his medicine early from the wide gate but expects he will be hitting the line strongly.

“Sir Artie should run well,” Snowden said.

“He is definitely better with a couple of runs, second, third or fourth-up.

“I wasn’t going to run him but he needs to start somewhere and that will be.

“Whatever he does he will improve on.”

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The Snowdens’ best chance, according to the bookies, is The Englishman ($5).

It’s been seven months since The Englishman last tasted success however the son of Tavistock went within whisker of breaking that drought when second behind Don Diego De Vega last start.

He steps out over the same track and trip in the ATC Thank You Owners Benchmark 78 Handicap (1800m) this week.

“The Englishman is getting closer and it looks like a good race for him on Saturday,” Snowden said.

“He should be running well.”

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This weekend will be the final Saturday metropolitan meeting of the Snowdens’ training partnership, which will be dissolved at season’s end.

The father-son team have had an incredibly successful 10 years together with more than 1270 winners, including 20 Group 1s.

They won the first two-runnings of The Everest with Redzel (2017-18) and shared Golden Slipper success with Capitalist (2016).

Originally published as ‘She has always been a natural’: Peter Snowden’s million-dollar baby Sakima faces big test at Randwick

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Original URL: https://www.couriermail.com.au/sport/horse-racing/nsw-racing/she-has-always-been-a-natural-peter-snowdens-milliondollar-baby-sakima-faces-big-test-at-randwick/news-story/709102faeb7c7944970859fa7c0b9c79