Rarefied Now A Big Chance For Winterbottom Stakes

The Snowden camp are part of only a handful of people anywhere in the country that were happy to see Black Caviar withdrawn from the 2011 Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot.

While Perth have probably missed out on their only chance to see Black caviar in the flesh, Darley now has a genuine winning opportunity with their horse Rarefied.

His path has been made even easier in the past 24 hours with hot local chance Barakey also withdrawn from the race.

Stable rep Paul Snowden says that while it’s unfortunate Perth will miss out on seeing the champion mare it’s exactly what he was after.

“We were banking on something like this to happen, unfortunately for Perth and her it has,” he said.

Rarefied was at one stage beyond $50 for the event but now is considered second favourite behind Ortensia at around $6.00.

He’s coming back off a huge layoff dating back to April of 2010.

He ran first up in the Lightning Handicap on October 15th finishing second to Tile and then second again to Sister Madly in the Salinger Stakes up the Flemington straight.

“He came off a massive break, his first up run behind Title was good and he franked that just getting pipped by Sister Madly,” Snowden said.

“He’s a terrific little competitor, pleasure to have in the stables, very quiet, makes him a good horse to take on a trip like this.”

Rarefied landed in Perth on the plane that left the east coast this morning and he’s come through it nicely as he gets accustomed to his new surroundings.

“He’s just going for a light trot and a little canter this morning, have a good look at the place,” Snowden said.

Darley aren’t planning to do too much with him while he’s there either with the horse in surprisingly good shape considering how long he was out of the game.

“He probably only needs one or two pieces of work, he’s pretty fit at the moment,” he said.

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