Warwick Farm preview: Promising colt Media World can book a trip to the Brisbane Winter Carnival with a first-up win

Trainer Peter Snowden has planned a campaign targeted at the Brisbane Winter Carnival with Media World and the colt takes his first step on the path when he resumes at Warwick Farm.

Media World can kick off his campaign on a winning note at Warwick Farm. Picture: Bradley Photos

Lightly-raced three-year-old Media World kicks off an important campaign which could see him earn a place on the Yulong stud roster.

Trainer Peter Snowden has always held the Yulong-owned son of Written Tycoon in high regard but the colt needs to deliver a big race win or he may face the ultimate gear change.

After winning his maiden at Hawkesbury last May, Snowden gave World Media a chance in stakes company during the spring where he finished fifth behind Autumn Glow in the Up And Coming Stakes, fifth to Lady Shenandoah in the Ming Dynasty and third to Swiftfalcon in the Dulcify Stakes.

“I have always liked the horse and he has run well in some good races,” said Snowden.

“This preparation is to give him one more chance as a colt to see if he can make a name for himself.

Media World begins the day with a win for @SnowdenRacing1 and @ZacLloydx in the Clarendon Stakes @hawkesburyrc! pic.twitter.com/GMv2fslj1D

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 4, 2024

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“I think he’s got the talent to get there and one of main aims this time in is the Hawkesbury Guineas.

“If he performs to expectations, he will then go to Brisbane for the Winter Carnival.”

Media World lines up as the favourite in the Benchmark 72 Handicap (1200m) from barrier 4 with Zac Lloyd aboard.

“He has come back a bit better and his trial at Rosehill the other day was good,” he said.

“This race sets up nicely for him. He’s got gate speed, can race handy and he tough too. He’ll have a good crack when he’s there.”

Fellow three-year-old King Of Roseau was also given a shot at stakes grade in the spring where he finished third to Growing Empire in the Poseidon Stakes and third to Amazing Eagle in the Brian Crowley.

He was down the order in two runs in January before a break and resumes in the Benchmark 78 Handicap (1100m).

“He’s had a trip to the vet’s and he’s now a gelding which will certainly help him,” Snowden said.

“Not that he was crazy but he used to get a bit wound up before his races and he could be a little inconsistent.

“He is a more focused horse now. His work at home and his trials have been great.

“He’s one I expect to see run well.”

Cracking finish to the @SchweppesAus Brian Crowley Stakes 🤯@G1TySchil and Amazing Eagle lead all the way to grip on and defeat Manos and King Of Roseau in a terrific finale to the Listed feature

@GRyanRacing enjoy first-up success 🏇 pic.twitter.com/MJgN4KOMU3

— Australian Turf Club (@aus_turf_club) October 26, 2024

Promising filly Wave Breaker resumes in the same race and can’t be underestimated.

She did finish third behind Lady Of Camelot and Manaal in the Widden Stakes on debut.

“She has only had a few runs but they have been good runs in quality races,” he said.

“She is coming off a bit of a setback where she had three or four months off but that has helped her get stronger.

“Her trial was very good and she will be competitive.”

Snowden’s day starts with a pair of youngsters making their debuts.

Miss Freelove kicks off in the Maiden Handicap for two-year-old fillies (1200m) while Outer Banks contests the Maiden Handicap for two-year-old colts and geldings (1200m).

Miss Freelove won her Rosehill trial in December before a break and has placed in both trials this time in, the latest a second to One Step Closer at Rosehill on April 4.

“Miss Freelove is a nice Tassort filly who has shown ability from day one,” Snowden said.

“We have finally got her where we want her and she is ready to go.

“I’ve got a few things in mind for her if she runs well.”

Outer Banks is a full brother to Snowden’s Group 1 Champagne Stakes winner Captivant and has been good winning his two recent trials from West Of Swindon and Vinrock.

“He’s an average track worker but he is a different horse when you put the goggles on him and his trial form has been solid,” he said.

“I expecting a nice run from him first-up.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

Trainer Wayne Wilkes is waiting for the day Uncle Moonlight puts it all together and shows just what he is capable of.

The lightly-raced four-year-old has taken a lot of time and patience from Wilkes to get to this stage and is still a work in progress but his recent performances show he is starting to get onto the right path.

Uncle Moonlight broke his maiden over 1250m at Taree three runs ago before a fourth at the same track before a strong closing second behind Roman Rebel over 1200m after coming from last on the turn on a heavy track at Tuncurry.

“Not many horse were making up that much ground like he did,” said Wilkes.

“If he gets his head around things, he could win a fair few races.

“He’s got good ability but is just doing a fair few things wrong in his races which is costing him at the end.

.@Aaronbullock90 rides Exorealm to victory in the Taree opener! @kbuchananracingpic.twitter.com/KxvVGc0Xbq

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) June 25, 2024

“He just has to learn how to relax and do things right in the early stages of the race.

“He is holding his condition a lot better and is strengthening up. It’s just going to take racing to help him along.”

The son of Supido can end the day on a high note in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1415m) where he has drawn ideally in gate 3.

“This is his first time out to 1400m. He is racing like he will get 1400m to a mile so here is a chance to find out,” said Wilkes.

“We’re hoping he can just come out and find a spot and relax from the good draw.

“If he does things right in the early stages of the race, he’s got to be hard to beat.”

Wilkes said Lensman won’t back up from his run at Newcastle on Saturday but Your Temptation will line up in the Benchmark 66 Handicap (1615m).

The six-year-old has finished sixth in both runs back from a long spell over unsuitably short trips and will appreciate the step up to the mile.

“His last run at Tamworth in the Cup Prelude was an ordinary run race. It was a stop start affair which didn’t suit him,” he said.

“Now he is out to the mile, it will suit him a lot better.

“If they run it at a genuine tempo, he is going to be hitting the line hard.

“He will still win a few races yet, especially as he steps up in distance.”