The Peter Snowden-trained Anise has narrowly taken out the 2011 Kindergarten Stakes at Randwick, this first race on Derby Day. The Darley galloper took the first race out by a nose ahead of Queenian and Hot Snitzel, who ran an unlucky third.
After the filly finished fourth in the Reisling Stakes, trainer Peter Snowden decided she wasn’t good enough to go on to the Golden Slipper which was won by stablemate Sepoy.
Instead he picked out Saturday’s Kindergarten Stakes (1100m) but had his heart in his mouth when Anise ($6) came out of the stalls last and stayed there for much of the race.
Kerrin McEvoy had to urge her forward in the straight and the filly responded in a battle with Queenian ($8) to win by a nose.
“I thought the other horse had won,” Snowden said.
“It wasn’t the game plan to be so far back and it was a shock to see her there but I don’t think Kerrin could do anything about it.
“She had to go seven or eight deep on the corner and the way she strode up I knew she was going to be in it but I didn’t think she could win.
“It was good to see her come from behind and hit the line the way she did.
“It’s fair to say she has been a bit disappointing but this was the right race for her.”
Queenian’s trainer David Payne also thought the colt’s white nose might have been in front but copped the loss on the chin.
“It’s a hard game,” he said.
“But it was a good run and he will improve,” he said.
“We’ll look at the Champagne Stakes now and most probably the Queensland winter carnival with him.
“He’s a nice big horse who will improve over more ground.”
The Group One Champagne Stakes (1600m) is at Randwick in two weeks.
AAP TURF
