Seiaye's chances boosted by wider draw

Peter Snowden is not worried about a wide barrier draw for the two-year-old Seeiaye and actually prefers it.

The youngster, who usually runs on-speed, has had trouble jumping cleanly a few times in his five starts. Considering this, Snowden is happy with barrier eight out of 12 for Seeiaye in Saturday's Kia Ora Bloodlines to Headlines Handicap over 1200 metres.

"It's better because if he blows the start drawn inside, they get across him and it's no good," Snowden said. "The wider the better. If he makes a mistake, he gets a second chance."

However, Snowden hopes Seeiaye will start well this time. He won the Max Lees Classic (900m) at Newcastle, came fourth in the Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at Wyong, and placed at Rosehill on the three occasions he began cleanly.

"He likes to race right on speed," Snowden commented. "He stepped better the other day and he raced better, so it's imperative that he begins well and puts himself there."

While Seeiaye has not recorded a win since his debut in November last year, his last start second to the highly-rated Omolong over 1100m at Rosehill was impressive.

Omolong is being considered a potential spring carnival three-year-old for next season, and Seeiaye was only a half-length behind him.

"His effort was good. He ran at a really fast pace and was up on speed doing most of the work," Snowden said. "The horse that won was backed for a fortune, and he did well to stick on and run as close as he did."

This Saturday's race is among the final opportunities for the current crop of juveniles to achieve a two-year-old win before they turn three on August 1, the official horses' birthday.

Seiaye contests the race third-up after an unplaced run on a heavy track in the Dalrello Stakes (1100m) at Eagle Farm in May, and a midfield effort behind Why So Hard at Rosehill last month before his second to Omolong.

Whether his campaign continues after this weekend will hinge on his performance.

"We'll see what he does on Saturday," Snowden stated. "He's had a trip to Brisbane and three runs now. This will be his fourth, so I'll have a think about whether we press on any further or we pull up and get him back in the spring."

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