Peter and Paul Snowden looking to end training partnership with another Ramornie Handicap success at Grafton

The time-honoured Ramornie Handicap has been good to trainers Peter and Paul Snowden who saddle up three strong contenders as they chase another victory.

Tashi heads a strong assault on the Ramornie Handicap for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden. Picture: Grant Guy

The Ramornie Handicap has a long and steep history and continues to draw horses, trainers and jockeys from far and wide.

It first captured the imagination of Peter Snowden during his time as a jockey and has proven fruitful to him as a trainer with five wins in the last 14 years.

He went back-to-back with Pinwheel (2010) and Jerezana (2011) while he and his co-trainer son, Paul, won with Calanda (2017), Signore Fox (2020) and Ranges (2022).

The pair, who will cease their training partnership at the end of the month, will be looking to go out with a bang when they saddle up three good chances in this year’s Ramornie Handicap (1200m).

Headlining their trio is consistent mare Tashi who is coming off an unbelievable run when fourth to Zarastro in the Group 3 WJ Healy Stakes at Eagle Farm on June 29.

Zarastro caps a stellar day for @tonygollan and Ange Jones in winning the G3 W.J. Healy Stakes to close out Tattersall's Tiara day. pic.twitter.com/soRaKLgYlc

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 29, 2024

“For the last four or five months she has been racing in great order,” Snowden said.

“Her last start at Eagle Farm was outstanding. There probably wasn’t a horse all day who made up as much ground as she did.

“I thought about tipping her out but when she came home but decided to nominate for the Ramornie and see how the race panned out.

“When I saw the field, I thought she is as good as they are and might be lucky enough to pick up a stakes win.

“She has been has been around the mark in three or four of them and it would certainly be great for her if she can win.”

Riding the mare is Mitchell Bell, who has ridden more winners for the Snowden’s than any other trainer with 80 victories at a 20.2 per cent while his place strike rate for them is an incredible 49.6 per cent.

“He’s a good country rider who knows these country tracks well. He will suit this mare and hopefully we can kick a goal,” he said.

Joining Tashi in the Ramornie is Ka Bling who was marginally behind her in the Healy in sixth place.

The gelding’s run was full of merit as well and is ready to peak, according to Snowden.

“Both horses were together and made their runs at the same time,” he said.

“Tashi was about a half-length in front of him on the line but it was an excellent run second-up.

“He is third-up now and 110 per cent ready to go. He will run well in this race.

“He’s got a good draw to get the right run on the speed and he is definitely a good hope.”

Ka Bling is third-up in the Ramornie. Picture: George Sal/Racing Photos via Getty Images

The gelding has proven he is up to this grade with a slashing performance when second to Ayrton in the Listed Barton Stakes at Caulfield back in January.

“He came from a mile back, got run off on the corner and charged home to finish second. It was an enormous effort,” Snowden said.

“It shows he can pull out a big run and third-up now will see him at his best.”

The stable’s third runner is the resuming Lavish Empire who has a very good fresh record.

“He was ready to go to the Glasshouse at the Sunshine Coast first-up when they were washed out.

“While they rescheduled the meeting to last Sunday, I just thought the track was so heavy and 1400m is as far as he goes. I decided to bring him back and save him for Grafton.

“The 1200m would be better on a heavy track so I think we have done the right thing to give him his best chance of winning.”

Originally published as Peter and Paul Snowden looking to end training partnership with another Ramornie Handicap success at Grafton