Snowden’s keen to take on the Magic Millions Classic favourite
While many trainers might be keen to dodge a clash with the Magic Millions Classic favourite, Paul Snowden is welcoming the challenge of debutant Customized taking on Storm Boy in the B J McLachlan Stakes.
Storm Boy is a long odds-on favourite to extend his record to two wins from as many starts in Saturday’s Group 3 Eagle Farm feature and Snowden has nothing but respect for the Tulloch Lodge colt.
But he also sees him as an ideal measuring stick for Customized.
“It’s not a bad thing because you get to know where you sit,” Paul Snowden said.
“You’ve got to have a horse who is continuing to improve and if he’s going to be in it (Magic Millions), he’s got to be figuring in the finish.”
Customized posted a recent barrier trial win at Randwick and is due to travel to Queensland overnight on Wednesday.
Saturday’s B J McLachlan Stakes (1200m) will be his first race start and while he has shown speed at the trials, Snowden says he is likely to be ridden more quietly from his outside draw in barrier seven.
“He’s a nice horse. He was a little bit new in his trials and he’s been a bit keen at times,” Snowden said.
“But there weren’t too many in his latest trial and he jumped, controlled it and looked like he had a little bit in hand.
“He will probably be ridden a little bit conservatively from the draw and he’ll hit the line better.”
Blake Shinn has the ride on Customized, who is a $12 chance in pre-post markets for Saturday’s race, and $51 for next month’s Magic Millions Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast.
Whether he presses on to the feature will hinge on Saturday’s performance.
“He’s got to win or run second to warrant a run. It all depends on the result on Saturday,” Snowden said.
Peter and Paul Snowden won 2019 B J McLachlan Stakes with King’s Legacy, who went on to finish fifth in Away Game’s Magic Millions before returning in the autumn to claim the Group 1 ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes-Champagne Stakes double.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...
Air has second Assault on the 2025 Ballarat Cup
A mature and more composed Air Assault will attempt to push his prizemoney beyond $1 million when he lines up in Saturday’s Ballarat Cup. Trainer Andrew Gluyas says the gelding has finally pieced it all together after years of racing keenly, noting the now nine-time winner has developed into a tractable,...