Darley has had high expectations for three-year-old Peck, including trying for a place in the Group 1 Queensland Derby at Eagle Farm earlier this month, however the Pivotal colt had not met them until Saturday, and then certainly not at Group level.
However, after Peck's win in the $70,000, That's Fishy Handicap BM71 (2000m) at Rosehill on Saturday there was reason for the stable to consider that eventually the expectations might be reached in time.
Peck (57kg) and Josh Parr waited patiently in the rear half of the field as Tuxedo Royale (55.5kg) and Tommy Berry took the field to the main straight. Peck's stablemate Zachary (58kg) and Nash Rawiller went after the leader in the middle of the track, but then on the very outside Peck and Parr appeared.
Travelling with ease Peck went away under Parr's direction to win over the late finishing Escholido (IRE) (Noverre) and apprentice Jason Collett giving 2kg off 54.5kg, with a long neck to Zachary (Commands) in third.
The margins were 3/4L and a long neck with the time 2.05.01 and the final 600m in 37.44 on the Dead 5 track. Peck paid $3.80 on NSW TAB, but was available on TAB Sportsbet's final market at $4.80.
“We had no luck in Brisbane,” said Brad Widdup, Darley's Warwick Farm foreman.
“We took him up there hoping for the Queensland Derby, but he missed out so Peter (Snowden) bought him back and we are just trying to get a couple of races in him as he has a good opinion of him, and when right he can win, so it was a good effort.
“We were chasing out tail before the Derby as we knew we had to get prizemoney for him. We will probably have one more run and then he will go away. We just want to get some racing into him,” he said.
“What you are seeing here is what he is doing on raw ability. He is not too sure on what it is all about believe it or not,” said Parr.
“He has had a good few starts now so he should be picking it up, but you will see a lovely horse next time.
“He was too good for them and I am glad we got away with a win,” he said.
Peck is out of the Sadler's Wells mare Flying Kiss and this was his third win from 10 starts. With two placings he has now earned stakes of $69,367.
Darley won the following race of the programme, the Chiko Handicap BM75 (1400m) with three-year-old filly Beg under Tommy Berry.
Beg (54kg) prevailed in the tight finish after racing behind the leaders to the top of the straight, and then using a run one off the rails to hold out $3.90 favourite Miss Marx (59.5kg) (Anabaa) and Tim Clark and Pteryon (53kg) (Lucky Owners) and Jay Ford.
The margins were a short neck and a long head with the time 1.25.56 and the final 600m in 35.59. Beg paid $8.90 on NSW TAB.
Beg is by Iglesia out of the Canny Lad mare Petitions and this was her second win from nine starts.
The wins advances Snowden's Sydney metropolitan tally to 83.5 for the season to-date, behind Chris Waller on 100, but in front of Gai Waterhouse with 79.5.
