The Peter Snowden stable will make the most of the temporary relocation of its Sydney stable jockey Kerrin McEvoy to Melbourne as it attempts to sort out autumn prospects.
McEvoy will test a selection of the stable’s southern-based two-year-olds in jump outs at Flemington on Friday ahead of next month’s Blue Diamond Preludes and will be on one of its more promising youngsters at the same track on Saturday.
McEvoy, who is in Melbourne with wife Cathy awaiting the birth of their third child, begins the day with first starter Metastasia for Snowden in the appropriately-named Nursery Plate (1100m).
A filly by Street Cry who showed ability on the training track and in a trial in her first preparation has returned in good order and is expected to acquit herself well.
“She looked like a nice filly the first time she was with us and she’s come back looking stronger and better,” said Melbourne foreman Paul Snowden.
“We expect her to run well in a race where there isn’t much exposed form.”
The stable is also looking to McEvoy to help turn around the fortunes of Chasse in the Craftsman Handicap (1720m).
Chasse has run well under big weights this time in and the stable has chosen to tackle a better-class race in order to get some weight relief.
“Weight’s been killing him this time in,” Snowden said.
“And he’s not an apprentice’s horse, so it’s good to have Kerrin to put on him.”
Weight is also a major factor in the prospects of classy three-year-old Haussmann who has 60kg in the Seascay Handicap (1410m).
Haussmann finished close up against older horses at his latest two starts and had no luck at the most recent of them when fourth to Crookhaven at Flemington.
“He’s very consistent and he was held up all the way down the straight at his last start and was still less than a length from the winner,” Snowden said.
“He’s got plenty of weight but there is a class factor with him.”
McEvoy also rides Giresun for Snowden in the Leonard Handicap (1410m) and despite drawing off the track at the worst start in Melbourne to be caught wide, he has claims.
“He always gets back anyway so the wide gate might not be such a disadvantage,” Snowden said.
