The Galaxy winner Russian Revolution has drawn a midfield barrier in a small field for the Group 2 $200,000 Mitty’s McEwen Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on Saturday.

Russian Revolution, above, is resuming in the McEwen Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Steve Hart.

Russian Revolution, above, is resuming in the McEwen Stakes at The Valley. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Team Snowden trained Russian Revolution will jump from barrier four in the seven horse field with the in-form Mark Zahra getting the call up again after the pair combined for a win in the Group 3 $150,000 KS Environmental Vain Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield during the 2016 Melbourne Spring Carnival.

Russian Revolution rounded of his McEwen Stakes preparation with a gallop at The Valley on Tuesday Monday and co-trainer Paul Snowden said that the Snitzel stallion is primed for a bold first up showing.

“He’s come back pretty good. He’s had two solid trials in Sydney,” Snowden told Racing Victoria.

“He was here this morning (Tuesday) for a look around. He was here last year.

“He went to Brisbane in the winter, and now he’s back again.

“He’s well-travelled; he’s slotted in great and handled the Valley extremely well.

“He is [ready to win]. He’s done plenty of work, that work’s done. Today was just a topping off for that.

“He’s competed at a high level for his past 4-5 starts now, at Group 1 level. He’s a pretty solid performer at that level, and we’re expecting a good show on Saturday.”

The McEwen Stakes has drawn together a small field of high quality sprinters which includes the Darren Weir trained Group 1 placegetter Hellbent, first up winners Supido and Missrock and the 2017 Magic Millions 2yo Classic winner Houtzen.

Hellbent has drawn the rails with Dwayne Dunn taking the mount and the I Am Invincible stallion was very competitive over the 2017 Autumn Carnival with a narrow second to Silent Sedition in the Group 1 $500,000 Keogh Homes William Reid Stakes (1200m) at The Valley followed by a third to Redzel in the Group 3 $150,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.

The Mick Kent trained Supido has Luke Nolen in the saddle again after the pair combined for a first up win in the Group 3 $150,000 PFD Food Services Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 15 and will jump from barrier five.

Missrock also scored at her first run back from a break in the Listed $120,000 SAJ Fruit Supply Carlyon Stakes (1000m) at The Valley on August 26 and has drawn barrier two with Damien Oliver taking over the reins from Ben Melham.

Speedy Queensland trained filly Houtzen has drawn barrier six with Craig Williams taking over from Jeff Lloyd who was aboard the Toby Edmonds filly in all her five starts during her two year old season, including her win in the 2017 $2m Jeep Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 14 and her only defeat when fifth to She Will Reign in the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 18.

The explosive Heatherly has Damian Lane in the saddle again from barrier three and will strip fitter after leading and getting run down over the concluding stages when a first up second to Missrock in the Carlyon Stakes.

Final field for the 2017 McEwen Stakes (1000m)

# Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Hcp Rating
1 11114x164x RUSSIAN REVOLUTION Peter & Paul Snowden Mark Zahra 4 58.5kg 108
2 113x34423x HELLBENT Darren Weir Dwayne Dunn 1 58.5kg 105
3 x113x930x1 SUPIDO Michael Kent Luke Nolen 5 58.5kg 103
4 35x19242x1 MISSROCK Robbie Laing Damien Oliver 2 56.5kg 107
5 x132x618x2 HEATHERLY Mathew Ellerton & Simon Zahra Damian Lane 3 56.5kg 107
6 x39x6111x4 UNIQUE LOVELY Frankie Stockdale Noel Callow 7 56.5kg 74
7 11115x HOUTZEN Toby Edmonds Craig Williams 6 50kg 90

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.