Travis Doudle is optimistic he can resurrect the racing career of one-time G1 aspirant Snow Patrol, who debuts for the stable in the opening race at Morphettville Parks on Saturday.
Doudle paid just $9,000 for last year’s G2 Autumn Stakes winner via Inglis Digital last month, knowing the horse has some soundness issues that need to be managed.
The five-year-old, who tackled the G1 Australian Guineas earlier in his career, returned from more than 12 months off the scene when unplaced for Mick Price and Michael Kent Junior in the Listed Weekend Hussler Stakes at Caulfield, after which he was listed for sale online.
Although Snow Patrol has only been in his care a short time, the Morphettville trainer is liking what he’s seeing from the son of Contributer.
“There’s no such thing as a cheap horse but if it turns out that we can get him fit and healthy and he brings anywhere near his best form back to South Australia, it’s going to be an absolute steal,” Doudle said.
“He’s got a few little issues and we’ve got to work through those but this looks a nice little starter for him on Saturday and we can just give him a cruise around there.
“He galloped on Saturday and I’m really happy with him.
“On his work and everything that he’s done since arriving, there’s nothing to suggest that he won’t run a big race.
“He’d love a little bit of cushion in the track and we’ve had a little bit of rain in recent days so hopefully that sticks around and the track doesn’t dry out too much.
“But we’ll learn a lot more about him on Saturday.”
Snow Patrol, who will be ridden by three-kilogram claiming apprentice Caitlin Tootell, is rated $11 in markets for the Benchmark 86 handicap.
