The Peter and Paul Snowden trained filly Anaheed has cemented a spot in the Golden Slipper with an impressive win in the Group 2 $200,000 Liberty International Underwriters Sweet Embrace Stakes (1200m) at Randwick today.

Anaheed, above, gets a spot in the 2019 Golden Slipper after winning the Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Anaheed, above, gets a spot in the 2019 Golden Slipper after winning the Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Anaheed was racing with the blinkers on for the first time today and bounced back to the winner’s stall after a disappointing last start fifth in the Group 3 $160,000 Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Preview (Fillies) (1000m) at Caulfield on January 26.

The Fastnet Rock filly was a winner on debut at her previous start in the $125,000 Victory Vein Plate (1000m) at Randwick in October and is now a real chance in the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 23.

Jockey Tim Clark has Anaheed ($5 equal favourite) in the firing line from the outset and the filly proved too strong in the straight to score a three quarters of lengths win over the Chris Waller trained Still Single ($5 equal favourite) who ran on from the back.

The Bjorn Baker trained Let It Pour ($16) found third place just ahead of the other $5 favourite Kiamichi.

Peter Snowden said that Anaheed had to overcome a minor leg injury before today’s race and was now on target for the Golden Slipper.

“I think so with a trial in between,” Snowden said.

“She had a bit of joint. It’s hard for a robust filly to get that sort of fitness into it as well as not doing too much to aggravate it. It was just like she rolled an ankle. You can still walk. Just got to hold her together.

“She was happy within herself, she was over that. On Everest day when she won she was big and round that day – it just might be her make-up. Always wanted the blinkers on. Don’t go too early, educate first.”

Anaheed is now a $21 chance at Ladbrokes.com.au for the 2019 Golden Slipper.

 

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.