Paul Snowden is confident that talented sprinter Knoydart can record his third straight race win when he contests the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m) at Mornington this afternoon.
Knoydart has been well-backed to win the 2014 Hareeba Stakes at Mornington this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Knoydart has recorded two impressive victories since being gelding before the start of his summer preparation, including a maiden win at Listed level in the Canterbury Classic (1100m) on January 24, and Snowden told RSN this morning that the son of More Than Ready has continued to impress in the lead-up to the Hareeba Stakes.
“He is really good,” Snowden said.
“Since he has been gelded this preparation he hasn’t done a thing wrong and his first two wins this time through have been great.
“You can’t fault the way that he looks and how he has been doing in himself.”
Knoydart appears well-weighted in the 2014 Hareeba Stakes, carrying three and a half kilograms less than top-weight Richie’s Vibe, but will need a fair bit of luck in running after drawing the outside gate in the fifteen horse field.
Snowden is hopeful that the speedy Borsay will give Knoydart a drag into the race and believes jockey Nash Rawiller may be able to settle the four-year-old just off the speed in the early stages of the race.
“The one directly drawn inside us goes lickety split and it is probably going to have to take us across,” Snowden said.
“I think the speed is going to be very genuine and if they string out a bit it will give us the option of slotting in third, fourth or fifth.
“If it does the horse is definitely going well enough to win.”
The entire Darley team has always had a high opinion of Knoydart and Snowden said that he remains confident the classy gelding is good enough to win at Group level during the 2014 Autumn Racing Carnival.
“We identified him as a Group horse very early on and I still think that he can get to that level,” Snowden said.
“It was good to see him knocked over a Listed class win the other day and he is certainly a horse with a ton of talent.”
Knoydart ($4) is currently a narrow favourite in 2014 Hareeba Stakes betting markets from Australia Stakes winner Richie’s Vibe ($4.80), the resuming Zamorar ($7.50) and Stephen Theodore-trained Don’t Get Excited ($9).
