Two-year-old Aspen has a pedigree to be precocious and trainer Peter Snowden says that appears to be the case ahead of the filly’s Warwick Farm debut on Saturday.
Aspen, by Exceed And Excel out of Portillo, makes her debut in the Warwick Farm 2YO Plate (1000m) and is sure to create interest.
“She’s a nice filly with a good pedigree,” Snowden said.
“She’s out of Portillo and is her first foal.
“She seems quite precocious. It looks like she’s going to be a two-year-old type.”
Portillo was trained by Snowden and won the Gimcrack and Magic Night Stakes in 2008 before finishing third in Sebring’s Golden Slipper.
Exceed And Excel won the Todman Stakes during his juvenile season and also raced in the Golden Slipper of his year before starring as a three-year-old sprinter in the 2003-04 season.
Snowden has a large team of young horses and will try to get as many as he can to the barrier trials before Christmas, especially the ones that are shaping as early runners.
Aspen appears to be in that mould.
“She trialled quite well the other day at Randwick and I expect her to run well,” Snowden said.
Gai Waterhouse has trial-winning colt Romantic Touch entered to make his debut while Gary Portelli is expecting an improved showing from All The Talk who finished third to Charlie Boy and Windjammer at Rosehill on debut.
