Trainer Peter Snowden mulls options in Melbourne and Sydney for gun colt High Octane

One-time Blue Diamond favourite High Octane has options in Melbourne and Sydney on Saturday for his return, but trainer Peter Snowden could wait another week.

Trainer Peter Snowden says the best of exciting colt High Octane is to come.

High Octane, a one-time Blue Diamond favourite, has options in Melbourne and Sydney on Saturday.

Snowden has reserved a decision on where and when High Octane could resume, this weekend or at a later date.

The three-year-old is equal $4 favourite in TAB’s all-in market for the Group 3 Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield and $7.50 to win the Listed The Rosebud (1100m) at Rosehill.

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The Deep Field colt could also be held over for the Group 3 McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on August 31.

“I’m not sure yet, I’ll wait and see, maybe accept (for Vain), but I’m not sure if he’ll run this week or in a fortnight in the McNeil,” Snowden said.

“A decision made probably tomorrow (Wednesday).”

Snowden has won the Vain Stakes three times, with champion Sepoy (2011), Safeguard (2013) and Russian Revolution (2016).

Snowden planned to speak with High Octane’s ownership group, Newgate, China Horse Club and partners, on Tuesday.

High Octane has trialled twice in Sydney the past month, placed in the 900m and 1050m heats.

“His work has been great, his trials have been good,” Snowden said.

“We’re looking forward to the spring.”

High Octane is nominated for Melbourne and Sydney this weekend but no certainty to resume. Picture: Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images

High Octane burst on to the scene on debut with an explosive victory in the Group 3 Blue Diamond Preview (1000m) last summer.

The exciting colt, sent out favourite in the Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m), endured a completely luckless run second-up, bailed up in traffic, and surged late when the race was over to grab fifth.

He finished ninth, beaten less than three lengths, in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m).

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“He’s always been a big strong horse, he’s 16.3 (hands), even as a two-year-old he was that size, he’s got a little bit stronger, but he’s only had the three starts, he’s lightly raced,” Snowden said.

“He won his first start, stiff his second one and third (start) he pulled up a really shin sore after the Diamond, that’s all he’s had, I think the best is still to come from him.”

Meanwhile, Snowden has Blake Shinn booked on Drifting in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes (1100m).

Drifting, a Group 3 winner already in Sydney, trialled “pretty sharp” last Friday at Flemington.

The daughter of Zousain is a $6.50 chance with TAB behind all-in market favourite Bold Bastille ($3.20), Arabian Summer ($5) and Kuroyanagi ($5).

“She won her first start, stakes placed Flemington second start, won third start, Group 3 lead up race (Magic Night) to the Golden Slipper and didn’t get beaten far in the Percy Sykes,” Snowden said.

“She led right up to the last 100m (Percy Sykes) and told on her the last little bit, every start she’s had has been at a good level and she’s been very competitive.”

Originally published as Trainer Peter Snowden mulls options in Melbourne and Sydney for gun colt High Octane