Trainer Peter Snowden has made the decision to reapply blinkers on Sidestep when he runs in the Group 3 The Run To The Rose(1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Sidestep will be looking to turn-the-tables on Va Pensiero in The Run To The Rose at Rosehill tomorrow. Photo by: Steve Hart

Sidestep raced without blinkers for the first time in his brief career in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago, where he finished an unlucky fourth after being severely checked and blocked for a run with 300 metres left in the race.

Snowden told Sky Racing HQ that Sidestep has recovered from the first-up run well and is ready for a big performance with blinkers reapplied this Saturday.

“He has come through the race well and we are happy with his work this week,” Snowden said on Sky Racing Radio.

“The only reason I took them (blinkers) off for his first start is that he is still a very new horse.

“He has only had four starts and he doesn’t know very much about racing so I just thought that with blinkers on he might over race.”

The Run To The Rose is set to be a very tactical affair as there doesn’t appear to be a great deal of speed in the race.

Sidestep generally races just off the pace but Snowden said he would be open to the son of Exceed And Excel racing a bit more forward on Saturday.

“He is a horse that can put himself forward,” Snowden said.

“I think Eurozone led by default the other day because there was no speed in the race either.

“He has drawn a nice gate to go forward if he wishes too but I’ll leave that up to Kerrin (McEvoy).

“The horse is going well and I have no doubt that Kerrin will find the right spot from him.”

Snowden and McEvoy are chasing their third victory in The Run To The Rose after combining to win the race with Desuetude in 2008 and Denman in 2009.