A late change of plans paid off for the connections of talented filly Isabella Snowflake who scored her third win form her only four starts in the Sportingbet Handicap (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
Trainer Mick Price had intended to spell the filly when she ran third at Flemington during the Melbourne Cup carnival, only to change his mind after she worked stylishly on Tuesday.
Isabella Snowflake winning the Sportingbet Handicap at Moonee Valley - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia (Steven Dowden)
Sent out favourite, Isabella Snowflake ($2.80) rewarded the decision, leading from the jump and hitting the line strongly to beat Genteel ($3.90) by 2-1/4 lengths with a further half-length to Andre Roo Hoo in third place.
“That’s enough for her now,” said stable spokesman Luke Wilkinson.
“She’ll definitely go to the paddock now.”
While Isabella Snowflake will be off the scene until the autumn, her rider Chad Schofield used the win to announce his intention to extend his Melbourne stay indefinitely.
Schofield, the 18-year-old son of top Sydney rider Glyn Schofield, has been with trainer David Hayes for the past three months having started his apprenticeship with David Payne in Sydney.
“It wasn’t a difficult decision,” Schofield said.
“The Hayes stable is a great place to be. I’m learning something new every day and the horses are going well.”
Isabella Snowflake was Schofield’s 18th winner for the season.
