A race that has been launching pad towards the rich two-year-old features could again be significant for two Snowden stable youngsters.
Peter and Paul Snowden won the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic (1100m) four years ago with Capitalist who went on to claim that season’s Gold Coast Magic Millions and Golden Slipper.
The Snowdens saddle up two runners in Thursday’s race, debut winner Strike and Remorseless.
Like Capitalist, Remorseless is raced by James Harron Bloodstock and heads to Wyong after disappointing at his only start at Eagle Farm in October when he finished midfield as favourite.
He has since been sharpened up with a Sydney barrier trial and Peter Snowden believes the colt has taken some major steps forward since his debut.
Strike stalked the speed and proved too classy to win his only start in Brisbane and was again impressive in taking out a recent trial, trailing the leader and getting the job done under his own steam.
Snowden says Strike’s racing pattern will be suited to the tight-turning Wyong circuit.
“Remorseless had one run in Brisbane and was a bit disappointing but he’s come on a lot this preparation,” Snowden said.
“The other horse has really improved. He won when he went to Brisbane and I thought his trial was very good here last week and he’s come on again since.
“He (Strike) has good gate speed and around Wyong that’s a plus.”
A field of seven will contest the $200,000 Wyong feature offering valuable prize money for Magic Millions qualification.
Gimcrack Stakes winner Every Rose was an even-money favourite on Wednesday with Strike on the third line of betting at $5.50.
Rathlin, runner-up in the Clockwise Classic at Ballarat, and Tulloch Lodge juvenile Farnan, who was scratched from Rosehill last Saturday, are also in the market at $4.20 apiece.
The Snowdens are well represented in the Magic Millions Wyong 3YO & 4YO Stakes (1200m) with Hightail and Leviathan.
A close second to subsequent Group One winner Funstar in the winter, Leviathan will strip fitter for his first-up placing behind Burning Crown at Newcastle.
Diamond Thunder is a narrow favourite for the race, ahead of Godolphin filly Exhilarates, who was runner-up in the Wyong 2YO Classic last year before claiming the Magic Millions Classic at the Gold Coast.
