The composition of the final field for Saturday’s Group One Galaxy at Rosehill will go a long way to determining the confidence of Snitzerland’s jockey Corey Brown.
Snitzerland came up with barrier 11 in the field of 14 plus four reserves but will start from gate eight if the emergencies don’t gain starts.
While conceding the Gerald Ryan-trained filly still has to overcome the handicap conditions of the race, Brown believes barrier eight would give her chances a boost.
“If the emergencies don’t get a run then she comes into a great gate,” Brown said.
“I would have said between four and nine would be ideal.”
Snitzerland scored an emphatic first-up victory in the Challenge Stakes when she carried 54kg.
She will meet the two placegetters in that race – Decision Time and Howmuchdoyouloveme – significantly worse at the weights, notably the latter who receives a 4.5kg turnaround.
Brown acknowledges the handicap conditions of the Galaxy (1100m) don’t suit Snitzerland but such was the dominance of her last-start win it might not matter.
“It’s not ideal. But the way she won the other day was so good,” Brown said.
“I actually didn’t think she was that good. She went up a level for me after that win.
“She’s a much more mature horse in the head and within herself this time in.”
Brown also pointed out Snitzerland was not one-dimensional and did not have to lead to win.
The tempo of Saturday’s renenwal could prove significant with the likes of on-pace sprinters Hay List and Adebisi both drawn wide in 14 and 16 respectively while the speedy Howmuchdoyouloveme has drawn barrier three.
“A couple of times she has just landed there (in front), like she did in the Slipper last year, and I wasn’t going to pull her back,” Brown said.
“But she can be ridden just behind the speed.”
“She’s done really well since she last raced and her work has been good.”
Saturday’s Galaxy shapes as one of the strongest in recent years with star sprinter Hay List set to take his place after being given 59.5kg while top sprinting mare Sea Siren will make her first appearance since finishing down the track in the Hong Kong International Sprint in December.
