Trainer Peter Snowden believes that Galah is in good form heading into the Group 3 Sandown Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday and is an excellent chance to record his third win at Group level.
Galah has form around Boban and Smokin' Joey heading into the Group 3 Sandown Stakes at Caulfield tomorrow. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Galah has performed well without winning in three starts this preparation; finishing seventh in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, third behind Boban in the Group 3 Moonga Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield and second behind the in-form Smokin’ Joey in the Group 3 Tab.Com.Au Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on Victoria Derby Day.
The form around Boban and Smokin’ Joey was franked when the pair ran first and second in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington last Saturday and Snowden believes that form line is one of the strongest coming out of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“He has good form his last two starts now and it is probably the best form through the Flemington Carnival,” Snowden told Racing Ahead on RSN.
“On that you would say he is a good chance but he is going to need a bit of luck in running.
“He has drawn a gate where he should get some favors and he certainly hasn’t gone backwards since his last start.”
Galah looked as though he could develop into a potential superstar when he recorded four straight wins during the 2011 Spring Racing Carnival, including the Listed Australia Stakes (1400m) and Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), but had his winning streak ended in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m).
The Redoute’s Choice entire failed to fire during the 2012 Autumn Racing Carnival and 2012 Spring Racing Carnival, beaten as a short priced favourite in the Sydney version of the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m), the Momentum Energy Trophy (1600m) and Listed Festival Stakes (1500m), before finally returning to the winners circle with a narrow victory over Conservatorium and Griffon in the Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) during the 2013 Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival.
Galah is the current favourite in 2013 Sandown Stakes betting markets, at odds of $3.80, but will need to be a his best to defeat a strong field that includes Tony Vasil-trained Richie’s Vibe ($4), last year’s winner Mahisara ($4.60) and Mornington-based Mister Milton ($11).
