Paul Snowden has cautioned punters not to write off Sheeza Belter in the Coolmore Classic, confident the filly can rebound from her unplaced last-start performance.
A Group 1-winning two-year-old, Sheeza Belter settled last in the Surround Stakes (1400m) from an awkward draw and wanted to reef and pull with Willie Pike before eventually getting to the outside and making nice ground late.
She finished eighth but it was her final 600m sectional that indicated she remained on target for the step up to 1500m in Saturday’s Group 1 Coolmore Classic.
“She ran the quickest 600 of the race last start,” Paul Snowden said.
“She was slow away and settled last, ran up a few backsides. It was a trainwreck, a total forgive.
“I’m looking forward to this week.”
Pike is again in town for the ride on Sheeza Belter, who could also back-up in next weekend’s All Star Mile (1600m) at Moonee Valley after she was vaulted into the field with the scratching on Wednesday of Tuvalu.
Sheeza Belter will be one of two Coolmore Classic runners for the Snowdens, along with consistent mare Mirra Vision, who was Group 1 placed behind Icebath in the Empire Rose Stakes during the spring.
Snowden felt the six-year-old needed the run first-up when sixth to Saturday’s rival Hope In Your Heart and expected her to run a competitive race.
“She always takes a run and she only had a soft trial leading into it,” he said.
“She just knocked up late but she’s in good order.
“The firm track will be lovely for both.”
The trainers will also be ably represented in the two-year-old features with Godzilla resuming in the Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) and Autumn Bloom tackling the Magic Night Stakes (1200m).
Group placed at his only start in Brisbane during the summer, Godzilla isn’t in the Golden Slipper mix but the stable does have Group 1 aspirations for the youngster, while August Bloom holds a Slipper entry but is unlikely to press on to the juvenile feature.
“Godzilla is a Sires’ (Produce Stakes) and Champagne (Stakes) horse,” Snowden said.
“August Bloom, she got beaten a length in the Sweet Embrace two weeks ago.
“Potentially, I did think she had this ability but ideally, I’d love to put her in the paddock after Saturday win, lose or draw.
“I want to look after her, she’s got three-year-old written all over here.”