Snowden's Rosehill aspirations tempered by barrier draws

Peter Snowden is expressing frustration with the recent barrier draws and will be monitoring scratchings closely before finalising his runners for Rosehill.

Three mares – Sunrays (gate 10), Tuileries (12), and Miss Freelove (17) – all drew double-digit barriers for Saturday's The Nivison (1200m). Additionally, his other stakes contender, the three-year-old The Machine Gun, drew the widest gate in the 14-horse Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) field.

Although Tuileries and Sunrays are definite starters, Snowden will make a final decision on Miss Freelove on race day.

"Sometimes you get a massive amount of scratchings, and seventeen becomes ten or eleven," Snowden commented. "I'll see what happens Saturday morning. I would like to run her because timing-wise, it's ideal."

Sunrays, who previously raced for Kelly Schweida in Brisbane, is debuting for the Snowden stable. Despite not having raced since her unplaced effort in the Gold Coast Guineas (1200m) in May, she generally performs well first-up.

Tuileries also has a respectable record when resuming and secured victory in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone when fresh, despite carrying a significant weight from a wide barrier.

Snowden indicated that Tuileries is well-prepared for Saturday's contest, and he is hopeful she can earn an invitation to The Invitation (1400m) at Randwick on October 24.

"She's had two trials and she's ready to go," Snowden said. "She's a top-class filly. She's rated 107 now for a reason. Her form is very good. She's had a freshen up in Brisbane and come back with these races in mind. We'd love to get an invitation to that fillies race after Saturday."

Similar to Miss Freelove, Snowden is adopting a wait-and-see approach with The Machine Gun. With three horses already scratched from the Roman Consul Stakes, his chances of a start could improve.

Undefeated in two starts, The Machine Gun is being considered for a shot at the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington later this month, and Snowden is keen to gauge his ability against Saturday's field.

"We wanted to go around on Saturday to see if he was good enough to run in the Coolmore," he stated. "It's a really good, testing race to see where you are in the pecking order. There could be some scratchings. The favourites might wipe a few out. If he came into eight or nine we might run."

The alternative plan involves a benchmark race at Rosehill on Wednesday, and Snowden is eager to get the Listed winner back in action.

"We've just got to get him running for the races we've got in mind," he explained. "He doesn't excite you of a morning at trackwork, but his race performances have been very good."

For those interested in the Roman Consul Stakes, checking out the latest racing odds on online bookmakers could be a good move.