Fresh is Best for Snow Patrol in Fred Best Classic

Trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr had been hopeful Snow Patrol could develop into a middle-distance galloper being a son of Contributer.

The former Godolphin galloper had proven himself over distances ranging from 1400m to 2000m and Price and Kent Jnr had the same hopes for Snow Patrol.

But the gelding’s one attempt beyond 1600m was a flop, finishing near the tail in the Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m) at Moonee Valley, so a genetic test was called for.

The results of that test indicated Snow Patrol was categorised as a CC – meaning he is a sprinter – miler a nd as such Price and Kent Jnr have gone back to the drawing board and will run the gelding fresh in the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.

“We did one of those DNA tests to determine his best race distance and it’s proven what we were suspicious of,” Kent Jnr said.

“He’s genetically proven to be a sprinter-miler as he came back as a CC.

“He failed in the Alister Clark, and we’ve had ten weeks to freshen him up, with two weeks in the paddock.

“The 1400 metres on the fresh side, that’s the same recipe which saw him win the Autumn Classic where he beat (Australian Guineas winner) Southport Tycoon.

“I think it’s a nice race for him.”

Kent Jnr said the genetic testing was one way of confirming your suspicions of a horse, while for others it is often obvious.

“You would never test horses like Profiteer, you just know those types of horses to be flying machines,” Kent Jnr said.

“But those middle-distance ones, like Snow Patrol, is a good idea.

“Being by Contributer, you hope he’d get 2000 metres but there you go, he’s going to be best suited being over shorter distances.

“Many times, it will tell you exactly what you thought, but sometimes it’s good information and worthwhile doing.”