Erewhon Seeks Villiers Stakes Redemption

Peter Snowden will be represented by just one promising runner in this Saturday’s Villiers Stakes at Warwick Farm.

The trainer will saddle up Erewhon in the $175,000 race as he attempts to win another Group race.

The four-year-old gelding has tasted success at the highest level, winning the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick in October last year.

Erewhon has won three of his 11 career starts and has earned more than $340,000 in prize money.

While he has a Group 1 victory to his name, Erewhon was less than impressive during his last preparation, failing to win any of his four race starts.

The Commands gelding finished second to Somepin Anypin in his first-up start, however, then went on to finish last of 11 runners in the Group 3 Eclipse Stakes at Sandown on November 12.

Snowden decided to send Erewhon for a short freshen up after his latest flop before bringing him back in time for the Villiers Stakes.

Erewhon finished a promising second in a 1,030 metre barrier trial at Rosehill on December 6.

“I was thinking of running him in the Christmas Cup but changed my mind and trialled him instead,” Snowden said.

“We couldn’t put our finger on what went wrong in Melbourne last start so we brought him back home and he’s done really well since.”

Erewhon will now have to compete against a likely full field of runners, after 20 horses were nominated for the Villiers Stakes.

Out of all the nominations, Miss Keepsake is the only other horse to have won a Group 1.

Miss Keepsake is also looking to rebound from an unfortunate performance in the Listed Festival Stakes last start.

The five-year-old mare finished an unimpressive 12th of 16 in the race and has so far been unable to breakthrough for a win this campaign.

Despite her recent disappointments, Miss Keepsake has proven herself on the big stage when winning the Group 1 Queensland Oaks in June 2010.

 

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