Snowdens To Capitalize On Raceday

This year's Magic Millions raceday will be a historic event for Australian racing as the country's richest-ever raceday. There are nine races worth a total of A$10 million–with seven worth A$1 million or more–headed by the A$2 million Jeep Magic Millions 2YO Classic and the A$2 million Gold Coast Magic Millions 3YO Guineas.

Co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden are no strangers to handling a good 2-year-old, having conditioned the likes of juvenile champion Sepoy (Aus) (Elusive Quality) and last year's G1 Blue Diamond S. and G1 Sires' Produce S. winner Pride Of Dubai (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}), and that father-son training team will be a formidable force in the 2YO Classic Saturday with race favorite Capitalist (Aus) (Written Tycoon {Aus}) and co-third choice Niccolance (Aus) (Nicconi {Aus}) in their arsenal. Capitalist earned 'TDN Rising Star' status on debut when winning the Listed Breeders' Plate Oct. 3, and was also the impressive winner of the Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic Dec. 17. Niccolance was second in the latter event and goes into this a maiden, having also finished second on debut at Randwick Dec. 5. Both colts fared well at Tuesday's barrier draw, with Capitalist landing in gate two and Niccolance in nine.

The unbeaten Zelady's Night Out (Aus) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) remains the second choice despite not faring favorably at the draw, landing in barrier 19. The Tony Gollan-trained filly won her first two starts at Doomben Nov. 14 and Dec. 12 before beating the Gai Waterhouse-trained Slumber Party (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}), who will break directly to her outside Saturday, in the G3 BJ McLachlan Plate Dec. 26. Third in that event was Nikitas (Aus) Snitzel {Aus}), who broke her maiden at Doomben Dec. 5 and is drawn well in gate three.

Champion U.S. freshman sire Uncle Mo, who thus far has two winners from three starters with his first Australian juveniles, is represented here by Conchita (Aus). The Paul Perry charge won on debut at Randwick Oct. 10 but was eased out of the Wyong 2YO Classic after bucking in the early stages. She regrouped to win a Scone trial Dec. 27.