Peter Snowden is banking on Tom Marquand’s first ride aboard Napoleon Solo giving the jockey the tools to get the horse back on the winner’s list at Randwick.
The visiting Englishman partnered Napoleon Solo for the first time last start, with the gelding third behind Man Of Peace after chasing hard from the turn without threatening the winner.
Snowden says Marquand will have learned from that experience and is hoping for a different result in The Coopers Hotel Newtown Handicap (1600m) on Saturday.
“Tom probably went a bit soon on him the other day and just left him a bit vulnerable,” Snowden said.
“But now he’s had a ride on the horse and he knows the feel of him better.
“He has drawn a nice gate and gets a bit of weight relief and he’s ready for a mile now.
“He maps well for mine and looks a good chance on paper.”
Napoleon Solo meets Man Of Peace slightly better at the weights and while Snowden admits 1600 metres is at the top of his distance range, he says the horse is hard-fit.
Snowden also said star sprinter Redzel had come through Thursday’s barrier trial placing at Randwick in good order and was on track to trial again on February 6.
The dual Everest winner is scheduled to resume in the Group One Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on February 15 with Kerrin McEvoy booked to ride.
