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
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...