Shooting to Win Knows What to do in Hobartville Stakes

Co-trainer Peter Snowden believes a newfound maturity from the stable’s Caulfield Guineas winner Shooting To Win will bode well when he runs first-up in the Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.

Shooting To Win

Doncaster Mile hope Shooting To Win returns to racing in Saturday’s Hobartville Stakes at Rosehill Gardens. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.

The Northern Meteor colt debuted in Melbourne off a top campaign in Sydney last spring winning the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) back on October 11.

That followed an impressive three length Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes victory at Rosehill over 100m less on September 27 and his third behind the Bart & James Cummings-trained Hallowed Crown in Sydney’s Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m).

While another interstate bid in Victoria is again being considered for Shooting To Win this time in, first he returns to racing at home in Saturday’s $200,000 Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m).

Shooting To Win is nominated for the $500,000 Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) at the famous Flemington Racecourse on March 7, and sits top of the futures odds for the clash at Ladbrokes paying around $7 to become a dual Group 1 winner.

He must account for his rivals in easier company in the Hobartville Stakes however, something a strong trial win at the start of the month suggested to Snowden he is more than capable of doing.

“He’s probably gone to another level. He’s just got better,” Snowden told TVN on

“You can see by his gallops and trials, he’s just got a different demeanour about him.”

After running last when ninth to Farolitos in his first barrier trial of the New Year where he didn’t attack the line but was put under no pressure to do so, Shooting To Win improved dramatically on February 2nd in his 1000m Randwick hit-out.

There he and jockey Blake Shinn put in a smarter effort where, fast away from the gates, Snowden’s horse was able to muster good early speed to gain a run up the inside that allowed him to grab a pleasing win over Caulfield Guineas runner-up Rich Enuff in a sharp 57.90 seconds.

If he can now bring that trial form to the track first-up in the Hobartville Stakes, Snowden is confident the galloper will be kicking things off with a win ahead of a big autumn.

“He knows what he has to do now,” Snowden explained.

“He’s just in terrific order.”

Top Sydney hoop Shinn retains the ride in the Hobartville Stakes after the barrier trial win, replacing Kiwi expat James McDonald who was aboard in the Caulfield Guineas last season.

Also on the agenda this Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival for the horse is a run during the coveted The Championships in the $3 million Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick on April 4.

Early Doncaster Mile betting at the Aussie bookmakers is led by Japanese raider World Ace at around $8.

Shooting To Win is hot on his heels however occupying the second line of the all-in markets at $9.

About The Author

Lucy Henderson

Lucy is an experienced horse racing journalist that has been a crucial member of the horseracing.com.au team for the better part of a decade. She has taken great delight in covering champion mares Black Caviar and Winx throughout their careers and always has a soft spot for a winning filly.