Snowden Seeks Coolmore Win With Beadman, Raging Force

Peter Snowden is hoping history repeats itself at Flemington Racecourse Nov. 1, 14 years after Sepoy gave him one of his most memorable victories in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1), with the master trainer preparing to launch a strong two-pronged attack in this year's renewal of the stallion-making group 1, one of three top-level races on Saturday's card. The Snowden stable will be represented by Beadman (AUS) and Raging Force (AUS), two talented 3-year-olds looking to upset the Godolphin-owned favorites Beiwacht (AUS) and Tentyris (AUS) in the AU$2 million, 1,200-meter sprint down the Flemington straight. The Coolmore has proven elusive for Snowden since Sepoy's brilliant victory over Foxwedge in 2011. His more recent contenders include expensive colt turned Armidale Stud-stallion Bodyguard and now Eureka Stud sire Don Corleone. That pair failed to feature, but the trainer believes change could be in the air this year. Beadman, who stormed onto the scene with an emphatic 8 1/2-length win in the Ken Russell Classic (G3) at the Gold Coast in May, has made an encouraging start to his spring campaign. The son of Snitzel resumed with a third behind Golden Slipper (G1) winner Marhoona in the Heritage Stakes before going down narrowly to Hidden Motive in the Roman Consul Stakes (G2) last start. To be partnered by Blake Shinn, Beadman has impressed Snowden in his work since, including a sharp straight-course jump-out last week, where he finished ahead of Beiwacht. "He was fine (down the straight)," Snowden said. "It was a good trial—he trialed very strongly, very straight and direct, and it didn't affect him at all. Come Saturday, if he reproduces something like that, he's in with a great chance." Beadman will be joined in the field by stablemate Raging Force, one of only three geldings in the 12-horse line-up. The son of Cosmic Force (AUS), who finished sixth behind Exceedance in the 2019 edition of the race, will attempt to give his young sire a first top-level winner. Raging Force finished a close second behind Tentyris in the Gothic Stakes at Caulfield Racecourse last start, showing he was ready to step up to group 1 company. "He's a nice horse," Snowden said. "He has won four from seven and the only blunder on his copy book was two starts back when he went way too hard in the Run To The Rose. Ridden a bit more conservative last start, it was much, much better, and the second favorite got him right on the line. "There's room for improvement off that run. He had a bit of a freshen-up before that, so I'm quite confident he can run well as well." Raging Force will again be partnered by Tommy Berry, the pair boasting a flawless record of four wins from four starts together. The stablemates have drawn side by side in barriers 7 and 8, a position Snowden believes is ideal for both colts down the straight. "I think you can be dictated to when you draw 1 to 5 or 6," Snowden said. "Unless you've got a lot of pace, you get shuffled back, or they always come to the middle, so you're racing on an angle. Whereas where we've drawn, it's straight down the middle, so I'm really happy with the draw." Waller trio primed for Empire Rose challenge Chris Waller will saddle a formidable trio in Saturday's Empire Rose Stakes (G1) over 1,600 meters (about 1 mile) at Flemington. Waller, who has previously won the race on three occasions, will be represented this year by Fangirl (AUS), Leica Lucy (NZ), and Lazzura (AUS). "I'm very happy with Fangirl after her work on Tuesday," Waller said. "She would be the top seed just on class alone based on what she has done. She's in the twilight zone (career-wise), but she was bright and happy on Tuesday morning. She had a good look around up the straight, but she's ready to turn it on, on Saturday." Fangirl enters off a sixth-place finish in the King Charles III Stakes (G1) after winning the 7 Stakes earlier in the spring. Stablemates Leica Lucy and Lazzura both come via the Toorak Handicap (G1), where they finished third and fifth respectively. Waller has made a minor gear change for Leica Lucy following input from new stable adviser Darren Beadman, with Steven Arnold providing positive feedback after Tuesday's gallop. "She lays in quite badly and Darren Beadman suggested a one-eyed blinker," Waller said. "We put it on her... and he said she worked really well. It's feedback from two great former riders." As for Lazzura, Waller expects a return to Flemington and a quieter ride to bring out her best. "She had a tough run early (in the Toorak) and I think she's better ridden off the speed," he said. "She'll really love coming back to Flemington." Autumn Mystery draws wide in Derby Rory Hunter admitted that the nerves started to kick in after Autumn Mystery (AUS) drew wide for Saturday's Victoria Derby (G1) at Flemington. "I was (sleeping well) until we drew barrier 17," the young trainer told Racing.com. "That sort of knocked us back a bit." Despite the wide alley, Hunter remains upbeat about Autumn Mystery, who will chase a third straight win in Saturday's 2,500-meter (about 1 1/2-mile) classic. "The horse is really happy and well," Hunter said. "He's come through his last run really well and worked well on Tuesday. All we can do is turn up on grand final day and have a go. Like I have said all the way along, he's going to be better in six months' time. We are really excited about the future with him." Blake Shinn is tasked with navigating the tricky gate, but Hunter believes the gelding's temperament and stamina will help offset the draw. "If we are in striking distance at the top of the straight, I feel confident he'll be there at the finish," he said. "He's such a relaxed horse and is able to switch off early in the run and conserve energy. His last two runs he has gone to the line full of running."