Trainer Peter Snowden hopes Spending To Win can justify the expense of a trip to Queensland when he races for black-type as a gelding for the first time at Hawkesbury.
Snowden urged connections to geld the four-year-old before this preparation and although Spending To Win has continued to produce a string of frustrating near misses, Snowden said the procedure was worthwhile.
“He’s a much better horse now he’s been gelded. He’s more genuine and there’s a lot more determination in his finishes,” Snowden said.
Spending To Win has two wins and nine minor placings from 15 starts.
Snowden, who trains with his son Paul, gave Spending To Win a mini-break after his second to Trekking at Warwick Farm last month and believes he can go one better in Saturday’s Listed Hawkesbury Gold Rush (1100m).
“He’s had a freshen-up. He’s got no weight on his back (53kg). He’s there to run well and if he does he may go to Brisbane,” Snowden said.
The Snowdens also saddle up three-year-old filly Warranty in the Group Three Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) after her encouraging comeback win on the Kensington course at Randwick last Wednesday.
Warranty had a nine-week let-up after pulling up lame after a Benchmark 75 Handicap at Canterbury in February and is now in good order.
“She had some muscle soreness that took us a little while to get right so her run the other day was very good. It was a good soft win,” Snowden said.
He said six-year-old mare Nancy could also head to Queensland if she can replicate her victory in the 2016 Group Three Godolphin Crown (1300m).
Nancy had a freshen-up after her fifth in the Group Three Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 24 and trialled impressively at Randwick on April 18.
“We chose not to run her in the Sapphire Stakes. We gave her a trial instead and I’m happy I missed that race because the trial was really good,” Snowden said.
“This is a nice race for her. It’s a track she knows well and a trip that is just perfect for her.”
