King’s Gambit and Don Corleone edge closer to return

Peter and Paul Snowden’s Group One placed colts and Don Corleone are warming up towards their carnival returns with both set to step out in barrier trials at Rosehill.

Don Corleone will have his second trial this time in in a 1000m Group heat on Tuesday, while King’s Gambit makes his first public appearance of the season at the same session over 900m.

Paul Snowden says both three-year-olds have returned to work in great shape with Don Corleone likely to resume in the Group 2 The Run To The Rose (1200m) on September 9 while King’s Gambit could kick off in Melbourne.

“They look very good,” Snowden said.

“Don’s trial the other day was fine, I was happy with that. He will probably go first-up into The Run To The Rose.

“King’s Gambit, we haven’t confirmed a kick-off point but Melbourne is an option first-up.

“We might look at the Poseidon Stakes, 1100 down the straight as a possibility, just to test the water to see if he’s any good down the straight.

“It could certainly come in handy to know earlier than later.”

Don Corleone had an excellent juvenile campaign, winning his debut at Randwick in January and placing in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes and Sires’ Produce Stakes, as well as finishing fourth in the Golden Slipper.

King’s Gambit managed a top-three placing in all four starts, highlighted by a Listed win and Golden Slipper placing.

Tuesday’s trial session will be another star-studded affair with Nature Strip the headline act, while the Snowdens’ class sprinter Mazu, Derby winners Manzoice and Kovalica, Masked Crusader, Overpass and Espiona will also be in action.

Snowden said their Doomben Cup winner Huetor was back in work and would be ready to trial in early September.