Paceman to test ability in silver slipper Stakes

Trainer Peter Snowden is hoping his two year old Paceman can live up to his blistering track work when he takes on a smart field of youngsters in the Group 2 $250,000 Silver Slipper Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

Paceman is ready to live up to his trackwotk when he contests the Sliver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Paceman is ready to live up to his trackwotk when he contests the Sliver Slipper Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Steve Hart.

Paceman’s work on the track has been that brilliant that Snowden has labelled the Duporth colt equal to any other two year old he has trained.

And in recent years Snowden has saddle up several two year old Group 1 winners including Earthquake who won the 2014 Group 1 $1m Sportingbet Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) before running second in the Group 1 $3.5m Tooheys New Golden Slipper (1200m) and Sepoy who took out the Blue Diamond Stakes – Golden Slipper double in 2011.

“He works as well as any two-year-old I’ve had but they have to take that to the races,” Snowden told TVN.

“I knew how good Earthquake was at home and she did it once, but I was relieved when she came back and did it again, proving she could really run.”

Premiership leading jockey Hugh Bowman was on hand to ride Paceman when second in an 803m Warwick Farm barrier trial on February 9 and left with the same impression as Snowden.

“I’m learning about Paceman as I go,’’ Bowman said.

“I’ve ridden him in a bit of work and today’s trial and he is a pretty good colt,’’ Bowman said after the trial.

Peter Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul, sent Paceman for a short break after his debut one length win in the $85,000 Cellarbration Appin two year old Plate (1100m) at Rosehill on November 15.

And another win on Saturday against some very smart opposition would promote Paceman up the Golden Slipper Order of Entry and the market order.

Paceman is currently marked at $13 for the Golden Slipper with Ladbrokes.com.au while Silver Slipper Stakes rivals Ottoman and Vancouver share the top spot at $7 with Headwater, also nominated for this weekend, an $11 chance.

The Gai Waterhouse trained Vancouver was elevated to the top of the Golden Slipper market order after keeping his winning record intact with a tradesman like victory in the Group 3 $150,000 Canonbury Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on January 31 at his second race start.

At his first race start the Medaglia D’Oro colt led all of the way to win the Listed $100,000 NSW Thoroughbred Breeders’ Plate (1000m) at Randwick on October 4.

Ottoman and stablemate Holler are also trying to keep their winning records intact and keep their Golden Slipper hopes alive.

Exceed And Excel filly Ottoman is having her first race start since winning over 1100m at Rosehill on December 20 while Commands colt Holler won his only start over 1100m at Randwick on January 17.

The Team Hawkes trained Headwater was also impressive at his only race start with a two and three quarter lengths win over 1000m at Moonee Valley on December 27.

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.