Justin Snaith, with his well-known fondness for targeting the big days, sets sail into this weekend’s two-day L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate meeting with a 51-strong armada. Candice Bass-Robinson has the next biggest hand with 27 runners, Joey Ramsden has 22 and Brett Crawford 19. The quartet had three winners apiece last year while Glen Kotzen, who had two, fields 22.
Justin Snaith
Winter Series winner African Night Sky did not impress in last month’s pre-racing gallop, even allowing for the weight he was conceding, but he has been backed this week and apparently this is because word has got out from behind Snaith Racing’s electric fence-topped brick walls.
“The guys have seen how well he has been doing and he has become a talking horse on his trackwork,” says his trainer who adds, realistically perhaps, “He may be better over the Met trip.”
You can virtually name your own price about stable companions Copper Force, Fifty Cents and It Is Written – “Theoretically they have no chance. They need to raise their game but this is racing and you never know.”
Snaith has won the Queen’s Plate just once (Gimmethegreenlight in 2012) but he has taken three of the last ten runnings of the Cartier Paddock Stakes. Gimme Six is second favourite and has been laid out for it.
“I have prepped her for this race. I went into her two races earlier in the season being very careful and saving her. This is the one she will be ready for.
“She is proven in this sort of field but Star Express is also a Group 1 filly and she will run a good race if she can overcome the draw while Oh Susanna is one they are all going to have to watch out for.”
Asked if there is anything else he particularly likes Snaith singled out Mister Colin in race three on Saturday – “He looks like he will be one of my best runners.” He was an 8-1 chance in the TAB sheet forecast but the bookmakers also read newspapers and, sadly, you will be lucky to get half that on the day.
However Snaith is predicting a handful of winners and says: “I have been waiting a long time for this meeting and I have saved horses for it.”
By Michael Clower
