Peter Snowden understands punters may have lost confidence in Albrecht.
But the colt hasn’t lost the faith of his trainer.
Despite two unplaced runs as favourite this preparation, Snowden has kept Albrecht in Melbourne and is pressing ahead with plans to run him in Saturday’s Group One Australian Guineas (1600m) against star colt All Too Hard.
He believes a good barrier draw will help Albrecht put his best foot forward after he was a “victim of circumstances” at Flemington last time out from a wide gate.
“Punters might not be too happy with him, but I think if he can draw a gate then hopefully we can be a bit more forward with him in the Guineas and that will give him a better chance,” Snowden said.
Albrecht’s defeat in the Listed Manfred Stakes (1200m) first-up at Caulfield left his trainer searching for answers but the his seventh in the CS Hayes Stakes (1400m) at Flemington is one his trainer is prepared forgive.
The well-supported Albrecht had to go back to the tail of the field from his outside barrier to avoid being trapped three-wide throughout.
He was then forced to make a long, sustained run and could only get within 2-1/2 lengths of the winner Sheer Talent.
Snowden said an analysis of the race and the sectional times gave him reason for optimism going forward to the Guineas.
“I thought he was very good,” the trainer said.
An Australian Guineas win has so far eluded Snowden but he has certainly not been without chances in the feature event for three-year-olds.
Marching was second in 2008 and Bullbars also came in second in 2011.
In 2009, 2010 and 2012 he had the favourite only for them to finish out of the placings.
“I’ve tried to win it a few times now and it’s a tough race to win,” he said.
It is likely to be even tougher with the presence of All Too Hard, the winner of Saturday’s weight-for-age Futurity Stakes.
All Too Hard is the dominant favourite at $1.50 with Philippi next at $13 and Albrecht $15.
