Snowden hoping history will be repeated in the Blue Diamond

Trainer Peter Snowden is hoping history will be repeated in the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday after fillies filled the first three placings last year.

guelph

Guelph is trainer Peter Snowden's pick of his 3 fillies in the Blue Diamond. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The Mick Price trained Samaready bolted in last year beating No Looking Back from the Gai Waterhouse stable with Anthony Cummings’ filly Armed For Action third.

Snowden will saddle up three fillies, Guelph from barrier twelve, the unbeaten Metastasio from eleven and Montesgur who will jump from gate seven.

Guelph has been Snowden’s pick of his three fillies is the lead up and even though the Exceed And Excel filly has drawn near the outside of the fourteen horse field, she has held her spot near the top of the betting with unbeaten Adelaide speedster Miracles Of Life.

Snowden is looking for a one two three result after taking out the Blue Diamond with champion two year old Sepoy in 2011 and honestly thinks that the fillies are superior to the colts and geldings this year.

“I think of what we’ve seen so far the fillies are better,” Snowden said.

“Guelph has been my choice of them but she isn’t Sepoy that’s for sure.”

Snowden has taken the wide barrier draw for Guelph and Metastasio in his stride and won’t change the racing style of his fillies.

From her wide gate Metastasio with Glen Boss aboard will go forward with Montsegur while Kerrin McEvoy will be hoping for plenty of speed from the inside runners to give him the opportunity to slot Guelph in midfield and save her the final run home.

“The other fillies are on speed horses, they will be in similar spots in the race and where they sit depends on how many others go forward,” Snowden said.

“Guelph is a nice filly who is going the right way, has been aimed at one race and to me she is going terrific.”

“She is big and strong and she has a great brain, knows how to switch off in a race and she relaxes on a loose rein which is brilliant for two year olds.”

“When you give her a squeeze she picks up, she doesn’t over race and waste nervous energy which most two year olds do this early in the season.”

Guelph and Miracles Of Life, who has drawn the rails, are battling for favouritism with the Adelaide filly holding the top spot at $2.90 in front of Snowden’s filly at $3.30, while Metastasio is next in the betting at $6.50 with Montsegur at the good odds of $26.

Miracles Of Life has returned to Melbourne from her Morphettville base and trainer Daniel Clarken is happy with the filly’s progress since winning the Listed $120,000 Patinack Farm Blue Diamond Preview for Fillies (1000m) at Caulfield on January 26.

“She’s done really well since her last win and I’m going there very happy,” Clarken said.

“I’m more than comfortable with where’s she drawn.

“I’m enjoying the experience. Tuesday was one of her better gallops and she’s ready to go.”

Melbourne’s leading trainer Peter Moody has been left with three runners following the scratching of his top fancy Thermal Current  because of a hamstring injury.

Moody’s three youngsters are at long odds in the betting with Dissident at $21, Quest  For Peace at  $51 and Kona Breeze a $71 chance.

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.