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Next Saturday’s $200,000 Scone Guineas will clarify Stradbroke Handicap plans for three-year-old stablemates Military Zone and Signore Fox.
Co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden are open minded about the Brisbane path the pair of last Hawkesbury winners can take after they contest the rich Scone feature over 1400m.
Peter Snowden said the $1.5 million Stradbroke (1400m), Brisbane’s richest race, is on the radar for both horses but will be guided by their Scone performances.
Military Zone is aiming for his third Guineas win of the season at Scone after wins in the Gosford and Hawkesbury equivalents.
He won the Gosford Guineas over 1200m in December and added the Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) at his first attempt at the Stradbroke distance at his latest start on April 27 when he held off the strong finish of the promising Trope.
Signore Fox also found winning form at the Hawkesbury meeting on April 27 when he won a Benchmark 77 over 1300m, appreciating a firm track and drop in class from contesting stronger races on affected ground over the autumn carnival.
Military Zone and Signore Fox are among 15 horses the Snowdens have nominated for the Group One features at the Brisbane carnival with the Stradbroke on June 8 an obvious attraction due to the excellent record the 3YO age group holds in the Eagle Farm race.
Snowden said completing the Guineas treble at Scone is the first priority for Military Zone before finalising his Brisbane program.
“His main target is the Scone Guineas. We might target the Stradbroke if he can perform well at Scone as he would be a light weight hope in a race like that,” Snowden said.
“He has had a bad habit of over-racing but he is learning how to switch off in his races and that makes a difference.”
Snowden said Signore Fox had the scope to improve off his easy Hawkesbury win.
“He won with authority at Hawkesbury. It was pleasing to see him do that because the ability has always been there,” Snowden said.
“If he can win or run well in the Scone Guineas we may have a throw at the stumps in the Stradbroke, but we will be guided by the run at Scone.”
Classy sprinter Brave Song is also heading to Scone next Saturday for the $145,000 Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) as his lead-up to a Group One assignment in the $700,000 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm on May 25.
Snowden said Brave Song deserved a crack at the Kingsford Smith after his excellent placing in the Hall Mark Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 20 when having his first start since November.
“It’s a bit of a big ask for him but he took positive steps last preparation. His first up run at Randwick was terrific reeling off some nice late sectionals,” Snowden said.
“He will head to the Luskin Star as his next assignment.”
Snowden also confirmed a Brisbane campaign at the $600,000 JJ Atkins Plate for exciting two-year-old Creator after his Hawkesbury Clarendon Stakes win at only his second start,
“Creator is a colt I think can make a big impact in Brisbane,” Snowden said.
“He’s always shaped as if a mile would suit him and we have identified the BRC Sires Produce Stakes on May 25 as his lead up into the JJ Atkins.
The stable also has Queensland Derby hopes for the lightly-raced Napoleon Solo after his last start fourth in the Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
“We have got to keep stepping Napoleon Solo up in distance to see if he is a Derby horse after he ran out the mile strongly at his last start.”
