Peter and Paul Snowden have another promising colt to develop with debutant Neutrality claiming a Rosehill race with a history of unearthing a good horse.
Before heading to Flemington, Paul Snowden had feared inexperience might undermine the Sebring two-year-old.
Yet the raw talent was never threatened by five rivals en route to claiming Saturday’s West Tradies Plate (1100m) by two lengths.
Neutrality led by as much as six lengths before easing off under Damian Browne.
The $400,000 purchase was sent out as $2.50 favourite and made an immediate return on those investments
Stunts ($3.60) was the pick of the chasers while Tactical Formation ($4.80) was 8-1/2 lengths further back.
A fortnight after fellow two-year-old colt Legislation won the Kirkham Plate (1000m) on debut at Randwick with Browne, Neutrality showcased his talent in a race that has recently pointed to a bright future.
Last year Champagne Cuddles, the runner-up in the Flight Stakes in September, beat Ace High, the eventual Spring Champion Stakes Victoria Derby winner.
In 2015 Yankee Rose, who was third in last year’s Cox Plate, won on debut and 12 months earlier Single Gaze triumphed as a $81 outsider in 2014.
The mare’s next run is in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
Stable representative Jackson Beers said the Snowdens thought Neutrality “a good style of horse when he came in”.
“As he learns his trade a little bit more he may not be so aggressive out the gates,” he said.
“He’s done a good job to hold because he’s not screwed right down with his fitness.”
Fastnet Rock filly Unforgotten remains unbeaten two starts into her second preparation after complementing her maiden at Canterbury last month with a fast-finishing win by a length in the CFMEU Mining Handicap (1300m).
“She tracked into it reasonably and well and over the last 200 metres was very impressive,” said trainer Chris Waller’s racing manager Charlie Duckworth.
Beacon ($4.80) was second while Godolphin stablemate Marsupial, the $3.20 favourite, was three-quarters of a length back in third.
Nominating Black On Gold late for the Turner Freeman Handicap (1800m) also paid dividends for Waller when the gelding shaded a stirring duel with New Tipperary ($4.60) by a long head.
The $2.50 favourite triggered a treble for Kathy O’Hara, who makes her Melbourne Cup debut with Single Gaze on Tuesday.
O’Hara saluted on resuming mare O’Lordy ($21) in the Highway Handicap and then got Carzoff ($5) home a nose ahead of Lord Kingsley ($41) in the Lidoran Group Handicap (1800m).
