Snowden splits 3YOs between 2025 San Domenico Stakes and Up And Coming Stakes

Grand Prairie will step out in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill after trainer Peter Snowden chose to avoid a head-to-head with stablemate Raging Force in the San Domenico Stakes (1100m).

Snowden felt Raging Force was better suited over the shorter distance, while Grand Prairie would benefit from extra ground. The trainer has also decided to remove the winkers that had previously sharpened the colt up in his races.

“He is a very laidback horse, very lazy in his work. That’s why I added winkers to his gear and that really does spark him up,” Snowden said.

“I’ve taken them off him on Saturday because if he can settle in the race like he does in his work at home he will be a great chance.”

Grand Prairie heads into the Up And Coming with solid race fitness, having won fresh at Kensington before finishing runner-up twice in Saturday grade, most recently behind Skyhook in the Listed Rosebud (1100m).

Snowden knows the standard of opposition will continue to rise with the Golden Rose (1400m) approaching, and believes stretching beyond 1200m will help Grand Prairie show his best.

“He was beaten fair and square the other day and a pretty handy horse beat him but we had fitness on our side, heavy going and the other horse had 60 kilos who won,” Snowden said.

“It made me think maybe he’s not quite good enough for those really good horses.

“The horse of Gerald (Ryan’s, Skyhook) is a good horse the way he won, but you’re going to meet more of them and maybe going a bit further (in distance) will help.

“I’ve had horses similar to him and I’ve done the same thing and it has come off.”

The Up And Coming has drawn just eight runners, with Central Coast withdrawn after trialling on Thursday. That leaves Grand Prairie with a strong chance to claim valuable black-type.

Those keen to follow Grand Prairie’s run in the Up And Coming Stakes can find markets at leading betting sites.