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Raspberries wins, but no consolation

Honest filly Raspberries won the G3 PDF Stakes at Flemington, but it was small compensation for connections who earlier saw star colt Helmet beaten.

They welcomed the win, but trainer Peter Snowden and the Darley team weren't in a mood to cheer too loudly as Raspberries raced to the line to claim a second black-type success in the the Group Three PFD Food Services Stakes at Flemington.

Having witnessed his star colt Helmet at his worst in the day's feature, the Australian Guineas, Snowden at least went home with a winner thanks to a mare he had been keen to scratch.

"She's been very underestimated," Snowden said.

"I'd been determined to scratch her if it got too wet, but she's been going so well we left her in.

"She deserved it, she's been so honest all her life."

Raspberries took her place despite the Flemington track being downgraded from a dead (5) at the start of the day to a slow (7) by the time of her race.

Raspberries crossed easily from her wide barrier to share the lead into the straight before racing away to a 2-1/4-length win from Biancon Rose with a long neck to Booklet in third place.

As pleased as he was with Raspberries' win, Snowden was still smarting at the performance of Helmet who ran favourite in the Guineas only to rear up as the gates opened and finish 12th of the 16 runners.

"It's really hard to watch," Snowden said.

"He's done it before, I hope he doesn't do it again."

Along with stablemate Sepoy, Helmet will be sent to owner Sheikh Mohammed's Dubai stables later this month to be prepared for the world's richest race meeting.

The pair will then join Sheikh Mohammed's team in England.

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