Luckless last start at Rosehill, co-trainers Peter and Paul Snowden kept the faith in the ability of Queen Of Dragons to mix it at group racing level and have been rewarded with victory in the Group 3 Kembla Grange Classic (1600m).
Originally thought to be a sprinting prospect on breeding, the Snowdens are favouring the three-year-old filly’s best being more likely at the longer distances and will now point her towards the Group 1 Vinery Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 30.
“We got her out to 1800-metres last time at Flemington and she got beaten a short-half-head and we always thought that being Paris Doir’s sister she might be better over 1200-metres early days but now we’re looking over a mile-and-a-half,” Peter Snowden said of Queen Of Dragons ($12).
Coming off an unplaced result in a midweek Benchmark 72 event over 1400-metres at Rosehill on February 28, the daughter of Pierro relished the Soft 6 conditions with Tyler Schiller aboard to make a late surge through gaps to win by a length margin over Our Gold Hope ($26) with Waikato Girl ($21) less than a half-length margin away in third.
“The good thing is after that first run back it was a top effort,” Snowden added.
“Kerrin (McEvoy) was very enthusiastic about that run and we thought we’d only bounce off that and keep improving.
“It was a decisive win today and got going really late as well.”
Race favourite Tutta La Vita ($2.80) never looked a winning chance in the run and finished seventh in the field of 14, while second favourite Arctic Glamour ($5.50) finished fifth.
New Zealand Derby-winning filly Orchestral remains favourite for the Vinery Stakes at $2 with Queen Of Dragons rated a $15 chance with betting apps.
“The Vinery has been on the radar third-up and she’ll definitely take her place there,” Snowden said.
Tropical Squall is on the third line of betting at $8 with that filly set to take her place in the Group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday.