G1 Vinery Stud Stakes step up for Queen Of Dragons
Impressed with what he saw from Queen Of Dragons in the Kembla Grange Classic, trainer Peter Snowden is now looking forward to giving the filly her chance in the Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes at Rosehill.
Queen Of Dragons brought up her second career win, and first at Stakes level, when she took out the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m) for three-year-old fillies on March 15 and Snowden is preparing to step the daughter of Pierro out in distance in Saturday’s 2000m feature against her own age and sex.
“She won with authority and she’s done everything right since the run,” Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul, said.
“It will be her first time at 2000 metres but she ran over 1800 at Flemington (last spring) and got beaten half-a-head so I’m pretty confident she will get the trip.
“She was pretty dominant the other day. She was on the pace, pulled a bit and raced a bit fresh but she hung tough and won well.
“She was the last one to pull up after the race so it was positive signs going forward.”
Single Gaze in 2016 is the most recent Kembla Grange Classic winner to also take out Vinery Stud Stakes while last year’s winner of the Kembla race, Pavitra, went on to finish second in the Vinery behind New Zealand filly Prowess.
Snowden won the Vinery in 2009 with Purple when he was head trainer for Darley, and that filly was unplaced at Kembla on her way to the Group 1.
Snowden said Queen Of Dragons had always shown talent and he is hopeful the filly is putting it all together now.
“Maybe now she’s a bit older and a bit stronger we can really find out what sort of ability she does have,” he said.
“I reckon 2000 metres will be her right trip.”
The Vinery Stud Stakes is one of two Group 1 races at Rosehill on Saturday along with the weight-for-age Tancred Stakes (2400m).
New Zealand filly Orchestral, who is Roger James and Robert Wellwood’s shot at back-to-back Vinery wins after the success of Prowess last year, heads the list of 14 entries with VRC Oaks winner Zardozi, Flight Stakes winner Tropical Squall and Kimochi also entered.
More Racing News
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup
Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...
Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?
To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...
Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest
Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...
Local mare to launch carnival mission in Ortensia Stakes
Luke Pepper believes the best is still ahead for dual stakes winner Opal Ridge, who will be chasing her second feature race win at Scone in as many years when she resumes in the Ortensia Stakes. The talented mare was triumphant in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) on the corresponding program 12...