Peter Snowden three-year-old Academus gets his chance to progress from last season’s Group 1 TJ Smith at Eagle Farm in a Hawkesbury maiden this afternoon.
Photo by Racing and Sports
It shapes as a soft kill for the classy son of Lonhro who no doubt has much bigger things in store this spring after placing in all four of his runs during his debut campaign.
He should’ve won on debut at this track in open two-year-old grade back in May, but found some trouble in the run and could only flash home into second behind Villa Splendido.
Team Snowden immediately identified potential in the half brother to South Australian Derby winner Kidnapped, and stepped him up to Group company for three clashes with last season’s champion Queensland two-year-old Sizzling.
Academus was beaten a nose by Sizzling in the Group 2 Champagne Classic over 1200m, ran second to him a fortnight later in the Group 2 Sires Produce then finished third in what’s proven to be a pretty solid TJ Smith.
That TJ Smith run netted a Timeform figure of 104 – a whopping number to be taking to the provincials.
Sizzling resumed at Caulfield on Saturday for his first run since a blistering Queensland winter and powered home for fourth in the Blue Sapphire, finishing just half a length off Gerald Ryan superstar Snitzerland.
TJ Smith second placegetter Kabayan has also played his part in franking the TJ form, winning the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill last start.
Before being thrust back into the Group spotlight himself, Academus gets his chance to tick off the first win of what looks to be a promising career.
Far from the glitter of Rosehill or the buzz of a Melbourne spring carnival, Snowden has opted to tackle the Aruze Gaming Maiden Plate (1200m) this afternoon at Hawkesbury.
He looks primed after comfortably winning a trial at Randwick last Friday, and only has to carry 56.5kg given the presence of David Pfieffer’s debuting four-year-old Marlly, who lugs 59kg.
It’s looks Academus’ easiest assignment of his short career, and he should prove far too classy for this lot made up mostly of first starters.
Pounce early – bookmakers will be winding this gelding in right up until jump time.
If something happens to go wrong, stablemate Lyric looks poised to take full advantage.
He’s back in grade after finishing third in mid-week metropolitan grade 15 days ago behind the very impressive Heart Testa.
Lyric ran second at this track and distance two runs back in maiden grade but did plenty wrong and could’ve probably won if he didn’t lay in.
He’ll need his share of luck from gate nine, but seems to like this track having placed twice in three runs here and looks capable of making it a Snowden quinella.
John O’Shea should have a say in the trifecta with three-year-old filly Spurs And Sashes who hasn’t been too far away in a pair of fourth placings at Canterbury to kick off her career.
She’s back in grade and links up with classy jockey Glyn Schofield for this one.
He’s taken the blinkers off for this one which is an interesting move, and is certainly one to be kept safe.
Of the rest, Marlly can run a solid race on debut for Pfieffer, but he’ll need some luck from the ordinary barrier.
