A change of tactics for Paximadia saw the Peter Snowden trained three year old lead all of the way to take out the Group 3 $200,000 Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington today.

Paximadia leads all of the way to win the Carbine Club Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Steve Hart.

Winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy had Paximadia out and running from the inside the gate and after gaining the lead uncontested, controlled the race before holding off the finishing efforts of Hucklebuck and Equator.

At his previous start at Caulfield when eighth to Hucklebuck over 1400m, Paximadia had troubled settling in behind the speed forcing  Snowden and McEvoy to rethink their race tactics.

“It was good to the horse bounce back today. I was bitterly disappointed about Caulfield. He is just a better horse when he can dictate and he did that today to a nicety and it is good to see him win like he did,” Snowden said.

“Kerrin was able to dictate. He told them that he wanted to lead then he backed the speed off and gave his horse a rest. He gave a good kick at the end.”

Paximaadia was sent out at the good odds of $10 after his poor performance at Caulfield while the heavily back Hucklebuck ($2.05 favouirte),  had trouble settling for Dom Tourneur in the early and middle stages which was probably the difference between winning and running a long neck second.

Snowden said that he would discuss Paximadia’s next Spring Carnival start with the Darley team with the Group 2 $350,000 Sportingbet Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on November 16 the likely target.

Snowden could be in for a another big day and will saddle three runners in the Group 1 $1.5m AAMI Victoria Derby (2500m) later in the day including top fancies Complacent, second favourite at $6.50 and San Diego at $7 while $20 chance Tupac Amaru is the third stable runner.