Snow Fields has Queensland Oaks potential, says Chris Munce

CHRIS Munce is hoping his juvenile winner Snow Fields matures into a Queensland Oaks prospect next year after the filly did it at both ends at Doomben.

Jeff Lloyd drives Snow Fields to the line on Saturday. Picture: Darren England

CHRIS Munce is hoping his juvenile winner Snow Fields matures into a Queensland Oaks prospect next year after the filly did it at both ends at Doomben.

Two-year-old Snow Fields had been unplaced in her first five runs but flourished on Saturday when she finally found a dry track.

Brisbane jockeys’ premiership leader Jeff Lloyd enjoyed his first win of a bumper day in the saddle when Snow Fields was trapped three-deep but showed her toughness to keep kicking in the straight.

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Munce went back to basics on Saturday and taking the blinkers off Snow Fields did the trick.

The former champion jockey, now trainer, will now spell Snow Fields but feels there is plenty more fun to come with her.

“She is very tough and realistically, when she strengthens up and matures, I think she can develop later on into an Oaks-type filly,” Munce said. “I think she is at least six months away as she has a lot of growing and filling out to do.

Chris Munce and Jeff Lloyd started the day on a winning note with Snow Fields. Picture: Darren England.

“I knew she had ability and I know she has a lot more ability than what we have seen so far from her. That is why I have always run her in pretty difficult two-year-old races.”

Munce has Gold Coast Magic Millions riches in mind for Snow Fields next year.

But he is just happy to get a win on the board, after admitting a training error may have been to blame for her sixth at Eagle Farm last month.

“That was probably my bad, I put the blinkers on her because I thought they would help her be a bit more focused,” Munce said. “But I took them off her today and went back to basics and left her alone. The other ace up her sleeve was that all her previous starts before now have been on soft and heavy tracks.”

A lot to like about Luke

THE John and Chris Meagher stable continued their recent hot streak and lavished high praise on jockey Luke Dittman after the win of Harada Bay.

Dittman, the son of legendary jockey Mick, is recently out of his apprenticeship but is already making great strides as a senior rider. At times, his lanky height and weight has slowed his career but dad Mick has no doubt his son has what it takes.

Luke Dittman gave Harada Bay there perfect ride at Doomben on Saturday. Picture: Darren England

Dittman has another big fan in John Meagher, who paid him a compliment after Harada Bay won at Doomben.

“Luke is a pretty special rider, I believe,” Meagher said. “He rode Harada Bay absolutely great today.”

The father and son Meagher training combination is on fire, with Harada Bay’s success in the 1630m Open Handicap coming after they enjoyed a winning treble at Eagle Farm on Wednesday.

“You have your runs, and we are going pretty well at the moment,” Meagher said. “I thought today might have been against Harada Bay, being at Doomben, because I think Eagle Farm is his track. From here, it would be great to get him out over a bit further, to maybe 1800m.”

Originally published as Snow Fields has Queensland Oaks potential, says Chris Munce