Darley trainer Peter Snowden won his second Group Three Carbine Club Stakes but the odds-on favourite Galah threatened to make mugs out of punters when he waited until the last stride to snatch victory at Flemington.
At $1.50 in Saturday’s 1600-metre Group Three event, the son of Redoute’s Choice was flat picking up the leaders in the home straight and jockey Kerrin McEvoy had to lift him on the line to score a short half-head win over Highly Recommended ($14) and Saint Etienne ($61).
Galah winning the 2011 Carbine Slub Stakes at Flemington on Derby Day - Photo by Steve Hart
Galah has won four of his five starts and Snowden now hopes he can emulate the Carbine Club Stakes-Sandown Guineas double which he achieved with Kidnapped two years ago.
“It wasn’t meant to be that hard but he’s won and that is the main thing,” Snowden said of the narrow win.
“He’s a talented horse and I like him and there is plenty of upside to him.
“He’s still learning what it is all about and he had a good look down the straight here today.”
Snowden said Galah tended to only do what he needed to do and would improve.
“The more you wake him up the more he ignites and lifts,” he said.
McEvoy said Galah was probably vulnerable on Saturday stepping up to 1600 metres for the first time and having his first look at Flemington’s wide open spaces.
“He’s still a baby and still learning,” McEvoy said.
He said the win was “a little easier than it looked” but he was unsure that Galah was helped wearing winkers for the first time.
AAP TURF
