The racetrack that has provided Peter Snowden with a living for almost three decades has offered up an appropriate win for the departing Darley trainer.
Snowden has been part of the training scene at Warwick Farm since the late 1980s, working for successive Crown Lodge trainers before accepting the top job for Ingham Bloodstock and then Darley Australia.
He saddled up Lonhro colt Raja Seat to win the Anzac Day Handicap in what marked his last Warwick Farm meeting in charge of Darley’s racing operation before he starts up a training partnership with his son Paul at Randwick.
But it seems sentiment will take a back seat as Snowden prepares for the next part of his training career.
“This is my last Warwick Farm meeting for Darley, but not my last in racing,” Snowden said.
“For me it’s one door shuts, another one opens. I’m looking forward to the new challenge.”
Raja Seat, a $5.50 to $4.80 firmer, overcame greenness to deny the favourite Charlie Royal ($2.60).
“He’s got talent but he’s still very raw and immature yet and he’s definitely going to be a better horse later on,” Snowden said.
“But this is all a good grounding for him next time and no doubt he should go to another level.”
Joe Pride is making provincial and country Cups plans for Destiny’s Kiss after the five-year-old appreciated a genuine tempo to win the Dunkirk Handicap (1600m).
Tried as a stayer for most of his career, Destiny Kiss will be kept to shorter races as Pride targets next month’s Hawkesbury and Scone Cups over 1600m.
“Hopefully I can keep a bit of speed in his legs and win one of those races,” he said.
