The prospect of a good track has given trainer Chris Waller confidence Snow Alert can go one better than last year in Friday’s Scone Cup.
Snow Alert was beaten a neck by Keepin’ The Dream in the 2010 Scone Cup (1600m) and his Sydney autumn program was disrupted by wet tracks.
Keepin’ The Dream, who was one of the favoured runners, was ruled out of the Cup on Thursday with a leg injury.
Fanjura ($6) shades Pureness ($6.50) for favouritism with Snow Alert and 2010 Scone Guineas winner Star Of Octagonal next at $9.
“Snow Alert is well but he has been held back by wet tracks,” Waller said.
“It’s a relief to know he is going to get a good track. He’s got a wide alley but that’s OK because he likes a bit of room.”
Following the withdrawal of Keepin’ The Dream, Snow Alert will start from barrier 11 with Tim Clark to ride.
Waller will also be represented by Foreteller, yet another European import to join his stable in recent years.
A home bred from Khalid Abdullah’s Juddmonte Farms, Foreteller came to Australia as a Listed winner in France.
He is having his third Australian start at Scone but Waller is not expecting too much.
“He is a progressive type but his second start here was only fair and whatever he does I think he will be better next preparation.”
Foreteller ran third on a heavy Randwick track on his Australian debut on April 16 but beat just one runner home two weeks later in the Rowley Mile won by Keepin’ The Dream.
Waller’s success with tried horses bought from Europe has translated into many race wins for the premiership leading trainer.
The surprise star is My Kingdom Of Fife, formerly raced by the Queen and unbeaten in three Australian starts.
He aptly won the Group One Queen Elizabeth Stakes on the last day of the Sydney carnival and is favourite for another at the highest level, next week’s Doomben Cup.
Bart Cummings is another looking forward to the good track at Scone with Latin News to be a rare Cup runner for the master trainer.
“I think I went up there with one about ten years ago,” Cummings said.
“Latin News has done well and the track will help.”
A year ago Latin News ran third in the BTC Cup at Doomben in his progress towards the Stradbroke Handicap.
He finished out of the placings in the Stradbroke and is likely to be aimed at the race again.
The four-year-old will be ridden in the Scone Cup by Kathy O’Hara who took out last week’s Wagga Gold Cup on Voice Commander.
AAP TURF
