Trainer Peter Snowden pleased with barrier trial efforts of outstanding stablemates Mazu and Huetor at Rosehill
Trainer Peter Snowden has declared Mazu and Huetor on track for bumper autumn carnivals after stepping out at the Rosehill trials on Monday morning.
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TRAINER Peter Snowden has revealed his Group 1 plans for outstanding stablemates Mazu and Huetor after both produced pleasing performances in separate barrier trials at Rosehill Gardens on Monday.
Mazu, among a group of brilliant gallopers poised to challenge champion Nature Strip for the title of the nation’s best sprinter, was having his first trial this preparation and was very impressive despite a narrow defeat.
Jockey Sam Clipperton kept a vice-like grip on the reins as Mazu led most of the way until the race-fit Spacewalk finished strongly wide out to win the trial in the final stride of their 900m heat on the course proper.
Godolphin’s Group 1-winning sprinter Paulele was ridden back in the field and was never pressured to finish eighth.
Snowden said Mazu, winner of the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 and a minor placegetter in The Everest last year, is likely to barrier trial again before he begins his autumn campaign.
“We are considering the Newmarket Handicap (Flemington, March 11), first-up but nothing is locked in at this stage,’’ Snowden said.
“If I don’t think he is quite ready we will wait for The Galaxy (Rosehill, March 18). We will make that decision after the next trial.’’
Huetor contested a 1030m trial on the inside grass and as expected was out-sped early but then was asked to lengthen in the straight and he stretched out generously, making ground late to finish sixth behind Cognac.
Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul, said Huetor is likely to resume in the Group 1 Chipping Norton (1600m) at Royal Randwick on February 25 where his likely opponents will include champion Anamoe.
“Huetor is coming up great and all being well he will run in the Chipping Norton,’’ Snowden said.
Richard and Will Freedmans’ classy filly Pavitra, runner-up in the VRC Oaks last spring, was kept under a tight hold as she cruised home three-quarters of a length clear of King Of Sparta with nearly three lengths to early leader Riodini in their 1000m course proper heat.
Zaaki, the weight-for-age star and multiple Group 1 winner of more than $9.7 million, was in a position to challenge on the turn but jockey James McDonald didn’t put the gelding under any real pressure in the straight before finishing eighth, beaten about four lengths.
Trainer Annabel Neasham is preparing Zaaki to defend his title in the $5 million All Star Mile at Moonee Valley on March 18.
Originally published as Trainer Peter Snowden pleased with barrier trial efforts of outstanding stablemates Mazu and Huetor at Rosehill
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