Peter Snowden expects this year's $1 million Golden Rose to be a cracker and is excited to have leading contender Helmet.Snowden-trained two-year-olds swept the Group One juvenile features last season with Helmet claiming two at the highest level to cement himself as the stable's big hope for the Golden Rose (1400m) on September 10.Helmet makes his season return in Saturday's Group Three Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill which is sure to provide the best Golden Rose guide yet with Smart Missil

Peter Snowden expects this year's $1 million Golden Rose to be a cracker and is excited to have leading contender Helmet.

Snowden-trained two-year-olds swept the Group One juvenile features last season with Helmet claiming two at the highest level to cement himself as the stable's big hope for the Golden Rose (1400m) on September 10.

Helmet makes his season return in Saturday's Group Three Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill which is sure to provide the best Golden Rose guide yet with Smart Missile and Foxwedge to face joining him in the field.

"This is going to be a really good Golden Rose and it's what you want it to be," Snowden, who has won the race with with Forensics and Denman, said.

"It's a Group One and the timing of it this year is perfect for a lot of horses.

"It's only a couple of weeks later (than it has been in the past) and it's a flow on effect right through to the (Caulfield) Guineas.

"Most of the good horses are aiming at the Golden Rose into the Guineas and it gives you that.

"The (Group Two) Stan Fox is two weeks after the Golden Rose at 1400 metres and then it's two weeks into the Caulfield Guineas (1600m)."

A quick look at the Golden Rose market highlights the showdown awaiting on September 10 with unbeaten colt Smart Missile favourite at $4 with TAB Sportsbet ahead of Helmet at $6.

Smart Missile, the only horse to beat Sepoy and a late scratching from the Golden Slipper, had a gallop on the Randwick course proper on Sunday morning.

rilliant Up And Coming Stakes winner Manawanui was quickly installed at $8 following his dominant win on Saturday.

Manawanui is not nominated for the Golden Rose but connections are considering a $50,000 late entry fee.

Rosebud Quality winner Aeronautical, who is set to go into the Golden Rose without another run, is at $9 on the back of two impressive performances at Randwick while San Domenico Stakes winner Foxwedge is at $11.

Helmet made his mark in the autumn with victories in the Group One Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) and Group One Champagne Stakes (1600m).

The colt was sent around in a Warwick Farm barrier trial recently to fit him for his return and Snowden is delighted with the progress Helmet has made from last season.

"Wait until you see him," the trainer said.

"He's a massive horse and a very nice horse.

"I'm looking forward to getting him back. It is going to be short of his best distance (on Saturday) but being fresh I'm sure he'll put himself somewhere there."

After Helmet's feats as a two-year-old Snowden and the Darley team mapped out a preparation for him which included the Golden Rose second-up on the way to the Caulfield Guineas.

"This will top him off well next week and then he's got two weeks for the Golden Rose and he'll acquit himself well there," Snowden said.