Limes is considered an outsider in the Group 2 2013 Villiers Stakes (1550m) at the Randwick Kensington track tomorrow but trainer Peter Snowden believes that the gelding can win the race if he receives a little bit of luck.
Limes is chasing his first race win since he beat Boban in the Hawkesbury Guineas in May this year. Photo by: Steve Hart
There is very little between all fourteen horses in the Villiers Stakes betting market, with Taxmeifyoucan ($6.50) a narrow favourite from Sysmo ($7), and Snowden told Racing Ahead that he is expecting luck in running will decide the winner of the Group 2 event.
“It is an even field and luck will play a big part,” Snowden said.
“He hasn’t drawn the best and he will need luck from the draw.
“I don’t think there is a standout in the race, it is a very open race, and he is in with a chance.”
Limes has been ridden close to the speed in his three previous starts this preparation, finishing 13th in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on October 5, fifth in the Emirates Airline Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on November 9 and sixth in the Listed Festival Stakes (1500m) a fornight ago, but Snowden believes that the son of Commands performs at his best when he is ridden off the pace.
“I think that he is better when he is ridden off the speed,” Snowden said.
“His best runs have been when he has been ridden off the speed but whether he will be afforded that latitude from that draw tomorrow remains to be seen.”
Limes was highly rated as a juvenile and competitive at the highest level of racing; finishing fourth in the Group 3 Skyline Stakes (1200m), third behind All Too Hard in the Group 2 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m), third behind Pierro in the Group 1 Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) and sixth in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) during the 2012 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
He developed a reputation as a non-winner during the 2012 Spring Racing Carnival, finishing second in the Listed Yellowglen Stakes (1410m), third in the Listed Gothic Stakes (1400m) and second in the Hilton Hotel Stakes (1400m), before finally ending his winning drought with a narrow win over Boban in the Listed Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) earlier this year.
Snowden is chasing his first victory in the Villiers Stakes after Classics and Galah both failed to fire in the 2012 edition of the race.
