Inkling suffered a shock loss at her last race start, but the talented colt could still contest the 2014 Golden Rose if he performs well in the Early Quaddie Handicap (1150m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Peter Snowden has not ruled Inkling out of a potential tilt at the 2014 Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill Gardens on September 13. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Inkling was very well-backed in the lead-up to the Early Quaddie Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on July 5, after co-trainer Peter Snowden touted the son of Duporth as a potential Golden Rose Stakes contender, but he did plenty wrong and did a disappointing third.
The two-year-old jumped awkwardly from the gates and made contact with another runner in the early stages of the race before over racing throughout the 1200 metre event.
Despite his erratic performance at his last start, Inkling has still be well backed to take out the Early Quaddie Handicap this weekend and Snowden told AAP that the rising three-year-old would need to win to be any change of progressing to the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival.
“I thought his run was quite solid last start,” Snowden said.
“He over-raced a bit early and it probably cost him his chance of winning.
“If he’s going to measure up to better races in the coming weeks he needs to stand up here.”
While Snowden is confident that Inkling can win this weekend, he is unsure if the colt will be able to progress to the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 13.
Inkling has only had two race starts, but Snowden does not want to overtax the juvenile early in his racing career and could run him in the Group 3 The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on August 30 before sending him for a stint in the spelling paddock.
“I’m mindful it is his first prep and it’s still a fair way to go to that race,” Snowden said.
“Whether he gets to that or one of the lead-ups maybe, well wait and see.
“From where I stand now I would think he’d have this run and maybe the Run To The Rose in a fortnight.
“Then maybe we give him a breather and come in at the back end of the Melbourne carnival.”
Inkling is currently available at odds of $1.90 to win the TAB Early Quaddie Handicap at Randwick this weekend and is priced at a quote of $34 in the 2014 Golden Rose Stakes betting market with Ladbrokes Australia.
