Team Snowden has adopted a strategy of fresh is best for Stradbroke Handicap hopeful I Am Superman.
Former Irish horse I Am Superman is in his third campaign with Peter and Paul Snowden and the training partners believe they have unravelled the key to the talented sprinter-miler.
In what might appear to be an unconventional preparation, I Am Superman will tackle Saturday’s Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) at Eagle Farm off a seven-week break between runs.
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Peter Snowden says keeping the horse physically and mentally fresh will give him his best chance at Group 1 success..
“This is the perfect preparation,” Snowden said.
“He ran in the (All Aged Stakes) then had four days off and has been back in work ever since.
“He’s had a trial two weeks ago. He’s in good order and he’s a really good horse fresh.”
I Am Superman won the Group 2 Ajax Stakes at Rosehill in March and while he beat just one rival home in Kolding’s All Aged Stakes, he finished less than four lengths from the winner.
He has drawn well in barrier three while stablemate Signore Fox will jump from gate 16 if the remaining two emergencies don’t gain a start.
Signore Fox fleetingly looked the winner when he scooted up along the inside in the Kingsford-Smith Cup last start before finishing a close third to Vega One.
While wary of his wide gate, Snowden is also hopeful.
History suggests the barrier draw is of little relevance in Brisbane’s flagship race with close to half of the past 30 Stradbroke winners having drawn outside barrier 10, including Tyzone who jumped from 16 last year.
“Outside of 10 and under 10 are very even so you can win from wide gates,” Snowden said.
The stable is likewise confident top weight Carif will be hard to beat in the Brisbane Cup (3200m), a race that has been his target from the start of his campaign.
“The distance is right, the track is going to be good for him, he’s racing well but the only negative is that 59 kilos,” Snowden said.
“He won the Sandown Cup with about 56. It’s probably his true weight he gets from what he’s done. There’s not much we can do about it, hopefully he’s good enough to get away with it and win.”
