Memorial Set For Golden Slipper

Trainer Peter Snowden believes that classy filly Memorial is good enough to receive a shot at the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival after she recorded a dominant victory in the Blackwoods AAP Industries Plate(1100m).

Memorial will have a brief stint in the paddock before beginning preparations for the 2014 Golden Slipper.

Memorial will have a brief stint in the paddock before beginning preparations for the 2014 Golden Slipper. Photo by: Steve Hart

Memorial made her racing debut with a two and a half lengths victory in the Alexandria Plate (1100m) at Rosehill Gardens on November 16 but Snowden revealed that he wanted to see the daughter of Street Cry perform at the same level on Saturday before he considered setting her for one of the major juvenile events next year.

Jockey Kerrin McEvoy positioned Memorial just off the pace in the early stages of the Blackwoods AAP Industries Plate and the two-year-old effortlessly went up to the leader at the 300 metre mark before racing away from the rest of the field, when asked for an extra effort with 200 metres left to run, to record a most impressive four lengths victory.

Snowden was delighted with the victory and said that Memorial would have a small break in the spelling paddock before returning to begin preparations for the Golden Slipper that will be run at Rosehill Gardens on April 5 next year.

“It’s a good sign,” Snowden told TVN after the race.

“If they race well and then go even better at their next start you know you have a genuine contender then.

“I think she deserves her chance to have a shot at the Slipper.”

The Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 22 was another possible option for Memorial but Snowden believes that the $1 million event will come around too quickly for the quality filly; with Earthquake set to be his major chance in the race that he won in 2011 with Sepoy.

“She’s been in the stable a little bit too long to go there (to the Blue Diamond Stakes) in my mind,” Snowden said.

Snowden will leave his role as Darley head trainer to start his own stable with son Paul Snowden at the end of the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and looks a good chance to add to the tally of 28 Group 1 victories he has accumulated for the racing operation; with Memorial, Earthquake and champion filly Guelph all genuine Group 1 contenders.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.