A decision to switch plans for tough sprinter Calanda looks set to reap the gelding his most important win.
Calanda has been a consistent performer for the Peter and Paul Snowden training partnership winning six races including the Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton and Listed Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford.
A son of champion sire Snitzel, he has already returned $545,000 on the $200,000 the China Horse Club paid for him as a yearling.
The Snowdens are confident he can add a further $106,000 as the winner of Saturday’s Group Two Moreton Cup (1200m).
Paul Snowden said the stable originally had two Sydney races earmarked for Calanda.
“In the end we didn’t want to clash with another horse last Saturday. We were also looking at a Sydney race for him on Saturday week,” Snowden said.
“But this race fell in the middle and it turned a few things have fallen into place for him.”
“The field isn’t overly strong and the track will be wet which also is no worry.”
Snowden said he was lucky to get Jim Byrne to ride Calanda as Byrne won the Ramornie on the gelding and knew him.
Byrne won the Doomben 10,000 on Redzel for the Snowdens last year
The stable has several other top chances at the meeting including Secret Trail (Helen Coughlan Stakes) and Sukodo (Phoenix Stakes).
“Both were good last-start winners and are expected to go well” Snowden said..
