Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Stakes placed colt Tchaikovsky will be the master of his own destiny in the coming months as the Snowden stable pushes the reset button on the talented three-year-old.

Trainer Paul Snowden. (Pic: bradleyphotos.com.au)

Co-trainer Paul Snowden said Tchaikovsky is kicking off in the Bowermans Office Furniture Handicap (1000m) at Randwick on Wednesday so the stable can assess where his future lies.

The $1.3m purchase hasn’t raced since finishing last in the Group 1 Golden Rose behind The Autumn Sun back in September and Snowden said one thing they’ve learned is he’s not suited to 1400m.

Like a number of his peers in recent weeks, Performer and Aylmerton last Saturday, the measuring stick is how the colt performs as he drops to benchmark level against older horses.

“When the races are there you’re trying to get them there rather than taking a step back and finding out where the horse is,’’ Snowden said.

“It’s always hard to step them up but it’s even harder to come back down.

“He’s always a good worker and works well enough to be an above average animal. That opinion hasn’t changed.’’

Tchaikovsky, who has a Gosford maiden win and a Group 2 Todman Stakes placing on his CV from his six starts, opened $3.60 TAB favourite in the 1000m scamper on the Kensington track on the back of two good trials against some of Sydney’s best gallopers.

The Snowdens threw the blinkers on for the second trial where he ran down Sandbar at Rosehill on January 29.

“We always thought he was a horse that needed some gear, he used to go a tad keen,’’ he said.

“We were trying to get him to settle for the 1400m trip but in hindsight now we know it wasn’t the right make up for the horse.

“He was strong on the line in the trial and the horses around him are quite capable. He needs to do something in his first couple of starts just to confirm where he is at.’’

While Snowden is adamant 1400m is a shade far he’s wary that 1000m could be a touch short but is banking on a genuine tempo and the colt’s touch of class.

He said they aren’t getting ambitious by setting an autumn goal for the horse at least until he returns to the winner’s stall.

Tchaikovsky wins his Rosehill trial on January 29

“Over that trip he’s not a jump and run type of horse but the more relaxed he is the better he will hit the line,’’ Snowden said.

“I’m anticipating a forward showing and I think his class will prevail somewhere. Just to see him finish off or win it will tell us a lot.’’

Stablemate My Demetra could be a surprise packet in the ANZ Bloodstock News Handicap (1400m) according to Snowden after a disappointing performance at her second start at Canterbury last month.

He said the filly didn’t appreciate racing forward and is a lot better than that flop and TAB’s $34 suggests.

“She pulled too hard the other day ridden upside down,’’ he said.

“We’ll be looking to get cover, we’ve drawn nice and soft and I think you’ll see a different horse.’’

Meanwhile, dual Everest winner Redzel is likely to have his first trial at Rosehill on Monday (February 11) as his return in the Challenge Stakes looms.

The original plan was to trial on Thursday.

“We’re in a very good spot at the moment, the horse has never come back this well in himself,’’ Snowden said.

All the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's Kensington meeting