There are a lot of changes in racing, but Peter Snowden producing smart two-year-olds every season is one of the constants of the sport.
Snowden won Blue Diamonds and Golden Slippers for Darley, and continued to be a force in two-year-old racing in partnership with his son Paul.
Snowden's name could be on the Blue Diamond honors list for a fourth time after the stable produced quinella in the Blue Diamond Preview for colts and geldings at Caulfield.
High Octane, a $1.05 million buy, was a late bloomer, but proved too classy for stablemate Holmes A Court, himself an $850,000 yearling, in an impressive maiden win.
“I thought both colts were going very well,” Snowden said.
“(There's) not much between them in their work at home and I thought there would be more at the end of the race.”
The Snowdens last won the Blue Diamond Stakes in 2015 with Pride Of Dubai, but now have the $5 favorite for next month's $2 million event after High Octane won with jockey Mark Zahra aboard.
Snowden said High Octane will only improve with more racing experience, which the son of Deep Field will gain in the Blue Diamond Prelude on February 10.
“He's only had one run at this case, and he kind of lost his way swinging around that corner, but he showed his class of late,” Snowden said.
“He is a talented horse and there is no doubt that he will improve well after this round.
“He's actually bombproof. He's a real professional.”
Earlier, Cranbourne trainer Clinton McDonald gave himself a chance to emulate his late father when Hayasugi booked her place in the Blue Diamond Stakes field with a win in the Fillies Preview.
Jockey Jamie Kah got the best of a tiring Hayasugi in the final 50 meters to overtake long-time leader Tobeornottobe.
McDonald's sire, Ross, won the Blue Diamond in 1989 with the impressive filly Kurtza, who also won that year's Golden Slipper.
“I thought it was a really good win,” McDonald said.
“She had to do it hard, she came back and she had to find the line.
“She probably peaked her career with 50 meters to go, but it was tough and you can't beat the experience of racing.”
TAB promoted Hayasugi to $11 in Blue Diamond Stakes betting following her win.
Originally published as High Octane New Blue Diamond favorite after progressing on the Peter and Paul Snowden quinella at Preview at Caulfield
