Media World survives late Party rush to win 2025 Hawkesbury Guineas

Peter Snowden's dominance in the Hawkesbury Guineas has continued with Media World toughing out a narrow win over Just Party to secure the Randwick trainer his fifth victory in the race.

Tyler Schiller gave the colt a well-judged ride, pressing forward early and guiding the $9 shot to the front before holding off the late challenge of Just Party ($5.50 equal betting favourite). Zeitung ($12) finished third in a determined display.

Snowden admitted he was close to gelding the colt but praised owners Yulong for backing him in for one more preparation.

“We were very tempted to geld him but Yulong wanted to give me one more chance with him as a colt and I’m glad they did,” Snowden said.

“Already it has paid dividends. He’s won a Group race here today and I hope he can go on further and go to Brisbane and do something else.”

Media World, who won the Clarendon Stakes on the same program last year, is now headed north for the Fred Best Classic, with a view to lining up in the Stradbroke Handicap should he continue to progress.

“I will take him to Brisbane for the Fred Best (Classic) next,” Snowden said.

“I’m hoping he could emerge as a Stradbroke Handicap horse. He’s heading in the right direction, that’s for sure.”

The victory joins Snowden’s previous Guineas winners including Free Wheeling, Limes, Military Zone and Exoboom.

Schiller, notching his first success in the race, credited the colt’s ability to settle mid-race and rally when it counted.

“The middle stages was his crucial winning point,” Schiller said.

“He relaxed lovely and just gave me that little bit of a breather. Once he did quicken from the top of the straight, although the challengers were there he always felt like he was toughing it out but when it counted he was in front on the line.”

“He is going to improve into his prep again but really honest horse and great win today.”