The Brian Crowley Stakes will be a pivotal assignment for talented colt High Octane and trainer Peter Snowden is putting him on notice to perform.
Snowden is certain the Blue Diamond Preview winner is the class horse of the race and he is hoping an outside gate gives the three-year-old the chance to prove it.
Resuming with an encouraging third to Gatsby’s in The Rosebud (1100m) in August when he had to thread between runners, High Octane had a hit-and-run trip to Melbourne where he finished fourth to Growing Empire in the Poseidon Stakes (1100m).
He again found himself in among rivals from a rails draw when finishing sixth in Group company last start and from the outside alley at Randwick, Snowden wants to see him rediscover his best form.
“It is D-Day for him, especially with this ownership group (Newgate stallions syndicate). They don’t muck around too long with them, and he got the warning sign last start so he’s got to perform on Saturday,” Snowden said.
“But it looks like a good race for him. I think he is the best horse in the race and he has been racing without a lot of luck.
“He gets a good rider on board (Joao Moreira) and drawn seven is a plus for him because he doesn’t like being buried away inside of horses.
“He should be able to get clear air here and get to the outside. I think you’ll see a better performance from him on Saturday.”
Snowden is also looking for the usually consistent King Of Roseau to lift in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) after he over-raced when down the track in the Tapp-Craig (1400m) last start.
Winkers come off the colt and Snowden is hoping that performance was an anomaly.
“He was disappointing the other day but he over-raced badly and he has never done that,” he said.
“It was a slow-run race, seven-furlongs, and he got posted three-deep and just saw clean air and took off. He pulled way too hard and he was a shot duck on the corner.
“I am wiping that race out of my mind.
“If he gets cover and gets back to his old form, he is certainly capable of winning. He just needs to do things right again.”
The lightly raced Manos rounds out Snowden’s team after a stylish maiden win at Warwick Farm earlier this month.
“It’s a big jump from maiden class to that class but the good alley should give him a soft run and he does have ability,” Snowden said.
“He is not without a sneaky chance, but High Octane is definitely my top pick in the race.”
Snowden is also looking for another bold run from Coco Jamboo in the $2 million The Invitation (1400m) after her luckless first-up fourth behind favourite Olentia in The Nivison (1200m).
“It’s a good field, Grahame Begg’s horse (Magic Time) is probably the class horse in the race and the one to beat, but I’m happy with her and I was rapt with her first-up run,” he said.
“She is very genuine. She puts in and she stays in and tries really hard. She is tough as nails.”