An awkward barrier has slightly dented Peter Snowden’s confidence ahead of Saturday’s Rosehill Guineas in which Derby-bound Retrieve will be the stable’s sole representative.
Retrieve came up with barrier 11 in the 2000m three-year-old feature after the Darley team decided against running Randwick Guineas runner-up Skilled.
He will instead be saved for the following week’s Group One George Ryder Stakes (1500m).
Retrieve finished an eye-catching second first-up in the Group Two Hobartville Stakes (1400m) before a wide barrier played against him when seventh in the Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m).
“He is fine but he just needed to draw a better gate than that,” Snowden said.
“He has drawn awkwardly in 11 but he’s going very well. He has improved a lot since his last run and he will run well but just needs a bit of luck in the run.
“His grand final is in a fortnight (the Australian Derby) and he might have to go back a bit further than I would have liked now, but as long as he is hitting the line hard then that’s all I need to see on Saturday.”
Snowden said it was important from the wide alley to give Retrieve a good run early and said he wouldn’t press forward and risk getting trapped four wide.
But with luck in running Retrieve certainly has the class to figure.
“He can definitely win with luck in running, he is a big-time performer,” the trainer said.
Snowden said it was a team decision to save Skilled for the weight-for-age George Ryder and not go up to 2000m on Saturday.
“We went through the pros and cons and that’s what we decided to do. It was a team decision yesterday afternoon,” he said.
New Zealand Derby winner Jimmy Choux was the one punters wanted after the 14-horse field was declared on Wednesday after coming up with barrier six.
He firmed from $4.40 to be a clear favourite at $3.80 with TAB Sportsbet.
Second favourite Absolutelyawesome ($4.60) will start from the gate directly outside Jimmy Choux while Caulfield Guineas winner Anacheeva came up with the rails draw.
Randwick Guineas third placegetter Light Brigade ($8) will start from barrier five with Nash Rawiller aiming for his second straight Rosehill Guineas victory.
Retrieve is on the third line of betting at $6 with Kerrin McEvoy to ride.
Snowden and McEvoy have finished second in both the Australian Guineas and Randwick Guineas so far this year with Bullbars and Skilled respectively.
“It will come, the wheel always turns,” Snowden said.
“You’ve just got to wait for it.”
AAP TURF
