Peter Snowden is looking for the real Limes to show up at Newcastle on Wednesday with the addition of an important gear change.
Snowden has two runners, Limes and Proverb, in the Group Three Spring Stakes (1600m) with Limes to wear winkers to help him focus on the job at hand.
Of the Snowden pair, Limes is the least favoured by punters but the trainer said the frame of mind the two were in on Wednesday would determine the stable’s leading chance.
“If the real Limes turns up I’d have him in front of Proverb,” Snowden said.
“But if he does what he did the other day (in the Ming Dynasty Quality) I’d be going for the other horse.”
Last season’s Sires’ Produce Stakes third-placegetter behind Pierro, Limes enjoyed the run of the race in the Ming Dynasty but didn’t finish the race off and came in eighth as stablemates Tatra and Proverb ran the quinella.
“I can’t fault his work. There is nothing wrong with him on the track and physically looking at him,” Snowden said.
“It’s just a bit of application to his job I think he’s lacking, and being a colt they can get a bit quirky.
“I’m hoping the winkers are all he needs to get that out of him.”
Snowden said Proverb would likely head towards the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) if he hit the line as strongly over 1600m as he did over 1400.
“Last preparation we were putting him up on the speed and he was levelling out late,” he said.
“Ridden quiet his sectionals were great the other day so we’ll ride him that way again tomorrow and see how he gets home.”
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Proisir is the dominant $1.55 favourite ahead of Proverb ($5). Limes is at $13.
“Proverb is going to be giving the horse of Gai’s a bit of a start which will make his job a bit harder,” Snowden said.
“It was a pretty outstanding win the other day (from Proisir).
“But my blokes are going well so we’re in with a chance.”
Seven-year-old Offenders has been brought up from Melbourne to contest the day’s feature, the Group Three Cameron Handicap (1500m).
The gelding has had three unplaced runs this campaign after a lengthy injury lay-off.
“Paul (Snowden) has been singing his praises for a while, he reckons he’s back to his best,” Snowden said.
“It’s a race if he is back to his best, he would be competitive.”
