Peter Snowden is on the lookout for one of his many juveniles to step up to the mark for the two-year-old features and at this stage Applegate looks the one most likely.
Snowden and Darley Australia dominated the five Group Ones around the country last season with Sepoy, Helmet and Benfica making a clean sweep of them.
“The gap is pretty wide for the next one but we’re hoping. Those blokes just came out of the blue last season so you never know,” Snowden said.
“I’m lucky enough to have a lot of two-year-olds to try this year and hopefully something is as good as those two (Sepoy and Helmet).
“I’m really pleased with Applegate. I think she’s a talented filly, she’s only had the one run for a win, albeit narrowly, but a strong win in what was a good field.
“She’s a tough filly, works very well at home, trialled nicely, is not fully wound up for Saturday but certainly wound up far enough to run a good race.
“I’m looking forward to getting her back to the races anyway.”
Kerrin McEvoy, who resumes race riding on Friday night at Moonee Valley following a careless riding suspension, retains the ride on Applegate who drew barrier nine in the 12-horse field for the Group Three Blue Diamond Fillies Prelude (1100m).
Applegate is by Helmet’s sire Exceed And Excel from the Storm Cat mare Klamath Falls and is a half-sister to Group Three Summer Cup and Listed Dulcify Quality winner Yulalona.
At her debut she won the Listed Emirates Airline Plate (1000m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day and was immediately spelled with the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 25 in mind.
On that occasion she settled midfield in the 16-horse field and finished with a rush to beat Snitzerland by a half-head with subsequent Sandown winner and Gold Coast Magic Millions Classic placegetter Alezan Thunder third.
Applegate is $5.50 second pick with TAB Sportsbet behind $4.40 favourite, the Mick Price-trained Fillies Preview winner Malasun.
In the colts and gelding’s division the Snowden stable will saddle up Rusambo who drew barrier six in the disappointing field of eight.
McEvoy rides the colt, by Sepoy’s sire Elusive Quality, who is resuming after being placed at two appearances in Sydney last spring.
He ran third to Pierro on debut in the Listed Breeders Plate on October 1 and two weeks later was runner-up to Amorino in the City Tattersalls Plate, both over 1000m at Randwick.
Rusambo is $3.80 equal favourite with the Danny O’Brien-trained Maribyrnong Trial Stakes winner Cambiaso.
AAP TURF
