Snowden sprinter back from the brink to stake claim at Scone
Craig Kerry
Hometown champion Peter Snowden expects the experienced King Of Sparta to show his “passion for racing” in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone on Saturday, when he makes his comeback after a serious illness 18 months after his last run.
Snowden, who was born and bred in Scone, will field a strong team from Randwick stables to the annual independent program, with King Of Sparta his most intriguing runner.
The two-time Magic Millions Snippets winner last raced in the Russell Balding Stakes in November 2024, followed by a six-month stint, two trials and then another 10 months on the sidelines.
Snowden said a staphylococcal infection in his hind leg appeared to have ended King Of Sparta’s career, but he fought back and pleased in three attempts leading up to the listed 1100m Ortensia.
If he runs well on Saturday as expected, he was considering the group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) at Eagle Farm on June 6 as a target race for King Of Sparta.
“He had a really bad infection and it took a long time to get better, and they thought it wouldn’t get better, but it did,” Snowden said.
“He’s been back to work for a long time. I’ve had him here for about four months and he’s gone through three trials, so he’s pretty forward.”
“Obviously he hasn’t raced for a long time but he’s a good racehorse and will be competitive.
“He still has great zest for racing. His trials were really tough so it won’t be a surprise to see him run well, but there’s no doubt he’ll get good improvement out of it.”
King of Sparta was $19 (TAB) with Chad Schofield carrying top weight of 61 kilograms from gate 12.
Snowden also has Fire Star ($10) from barrier nine. The five-year-old finished third in the Ortensia last year, bringing Andrew Adkins on board again. He finished fourth in the 1200m JRA Plate in January and has taken a break and made two attempts since then. He has finished in the top two four times in five first rounds and his potential targets include the Hinkler Handicap and Moreton Cup.
“He’s in good new form,” Snowden said.
“He’s had a few good trials and achieved his goal. His performance was really good on Tuesday, so he’ll be competitive.”
In the group 3 Dark Jewel Classic Snowden was confident that Tuileries ($10) could finish second last in the Emancipation Stakes and open her campaign in the group 1 Tattersall’s Tiara.
He said the final start, which followed victory in the Newcastle Stakes, was a “total forgiveness run” after overcoming interference.
“He regenerated, had three weeks off, then came back and had a really good trial at Canterbury last Friday week,” he said.
“He told me he was back on track and his work was the same.
“He scratched the car park but he’s got good speed around him which could help him get across. If he’s lucky he’ll be very hard to beat.”
Akaysha ($7.50) and Miss Freelove ($12) give Snowden a real chance in the Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) listed for three-year-old fillies. Akaysha was the last start winner of the listed Mick Dittman Plate with Miss Freelove finishing second at Warwick Farm in sixth. Both will compete in Queensland stakes races next month.
In Queensland, Snowden already has Beadman ($10) leading the charge, which backs his Gold Coast Guineas win in Saturday’s group 1 Doomben 10,000.
“He stood up well,” Snowden said.
“He’s traveling in the wet so that shouldn’t worry him. It’s a very tough race but he’s doing well.”
