A decision on who will replace Peter Snowden as the Australian head trainer for the Darley operation will be made in the coming days; with Darley Australia’s general manager Henry Plumptre confirming that he had put in his recommendation to the operations headquarters in Dubai.

Peter Snowden's replacement as Darley head trainer is expected to be announced shortly. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Peter Snowden shocked the Australian racing community in November by announcing that he would be stepping down from his role as Darley head trainer to start his own stable with son Paul Snowden at the end of the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and there has been a great deal of speculation over who will take over the plumb role.

Last month Plumptre revealed that it will be an Australian trainer who will be taking over the job and told TVN this morning that he expects a decision will be made by either Sheikh Mohammed or his bloodstock advisor John Ferguson in the coming days.

“An announcement, when it is made, will come from Dubai,” Plumptre said.

“When there is an appointment this big, it’s made from Dubai.

“I’m not sure whether it will be made by John or the boss but they have my recommendation.”

Snowden is contracted to Darley until May and jockey Kerrin McEvoy, who is expected to maintain his job as Darley’s number one rider in Australia, is hopeful that they can finish their partnership with a bang; with Guelph, Complacent and Earthquake all expected to be Group 1 contenders in the autumn.

“It is Blue Diamond time soon and all the good horses are coming back,” McEvoy told Sky Racing HQ.

“I have just seen Guelph and she will probably come back into the main yard in ten days or so.

“Then we have got Complacent who is heading to the AJC Derby.

“Earthquake is a filly that I haven’t actually sat on but she was a fantastic winner for Reithy (Christian Reith) at her first and only start so I am looking forward to throwing a leg over that is for sure.

“It is funny because me and Pete are still trying to win some good races but it is weird knowing that the end is near for Peter and the Darley operation; it is a funny sort of feeling

“We have had a great run and it is business as usual.

“Pete is a real professional and is still putting fantastic time into the next six months so hopefully we can snag some big winners.”