WHILE his comrades, Gai Waterhouse and Chris Waller, enjoy the fruits of success provided by European horses imported to Australia, trainer Peter Snowden found himself yet again on the wrong end of the global horse trade as he bade farewell to Patinack Classic winner Mental at Flemington on Saturday, reports The Age. It says: The son of Lonhro recorded a career best win in the group 1 sprint but will continue his career in Europe and Dubai under the Godolphin banner as a part of the annual promo
WHILE his comrades, Gai Waterhouse and Chris Waller, enjoy the fruits of success provided by European horses imported to Australia, trainer Peter Snowden found himself yet again on the wrong end of the global horse trade as he bade farewell to Patinack Classic winner Mental at Flemington on Saturday, reports The Age.
It says: The son of Lonhro recorded a career best win in the group 1 sprint but will continue his career in Europe and Dubai under the Godolphin banner as a part of the annual promotion of top-class Darley-trained gallopers from outposts around the world; a fitting tribute to Snowden's skills as a trainer and also to the class of Darley's Australian-bred operation.
Snowden has lost a number of well-performed horses to Godolphin's European base in recent years and earlier this year sent champion two-year-old Sepoy and Caulfield Guineas winner Helmet to complete their careers in England with limited success.
But the trainer had far greater hopes for Mental following his breakthrough group 1 win. ''He's the best horse that we have sent them [Godolphin] and he's in the best form of those we have sent,'' he said. ''I have a feeling that the boss will hold him back for Ascot, and I think a race like the July Cup would be ideal.''
Unlike his well-performed predecessors, Mental is a gelding and Snowden and the Godolphin team are hopeful the quieter more straightforward galloper will have more success in the northern hemisphere and, in so doing, boost the profile of Lonhro, who has had little representation in Europe despite his dominance in Australia in recent seasons.