Peter Snowden has already reaped a Group One win with one son of Lonhro this season and on Saturday he will shoot for another when Heraklion tackles the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick.The Darley trainer snared last month's $1 million Golden Rose with Caulfield Guineas favourite Denman who, like Heraklion, is by former star galloper and now successful sire Lonhro.The multiple Group One winner has made an immediate impact as a stallion having also produced the likes of O'Lonhro, Deer Valley an
Peter Snowden has already reaped a Group One win with one son of Lonhro this season and on Saturday he will shoot for another when Heraklion tackles the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick.
The Darley trainer snared last month's $1 million Golden Rose with Caulfield Guineas favourite Denman who, like Heraklion, is by former star galloper and now successful sire Lonhro.
The multiple Group One winner has made an immediate impact as a stallion having also produced the likes of O'Lonhro, Deer Valley and Demerit for stakes wins this season.
While Denman has won six of his seven starts to stamp himself one of the most exciting colts in training, Heraklion has been more of a slow burner.
After making a winning debut in July, Heraklion finished just behind the placegetters at his next two starts then made the leap into Group company with a good third to So You Think and Spring Champion rival Gathering in the Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill last time out.
Snowden expects the step up in trip to suit the three-year-old, who has barrier five on Saturday and Kerrin McEvoy in the saddle.
"His run was solid at Rosehill," Snowden said.
"He wasn't beaten far and he is racing as though 2000 metres will suit him."
Heraklion will be striving to give Snowden back-to-back wins in the race he claimed with Sousa last year.
The gelding was at $12 with TAB Sportsbet following Wednesday's barrier draw with betting headed by Onemorenomore at $2.20.
The only proven Group One performer in the field, the AJC Champagne Stakes winner will back up from his third to Road To Rock in the George Main Stakes (1600m) last Saturday.
He will be one of two runners for Patinack Farm trainer John Thompson along with Gathering, equal second pick with last-start winner Viking Legend at $6.50.
Gathering broke his maiden over 1550m two starts ago then led and forced the promising So You Think to dig deep to beat him by three-quarters of a length in the Gloaming last start.
"He's a good second-stringer and without Onemorenomore in the race he probably would have been favourite," Thompson said.
"His run the other day was great.
"He was beaten by a better horse on the day but he is a big, gross colt so he will improve from that."
Onemorenomore was originally being aimed at the Caulfield Guineas (1600m) but connections decided to change course and run him in the Spring Champion after his third in the George Main.
Thompson felt he was racing "a bit dour" and said he would be ridden off the speed at Randwick.
"We will ride him a bit quieter on Saturday so that he hits the line," Thompson said.