The Snowden stable blames a decision to lead for the last-start failure of Offenders who will be out to rebound in the Listed Winter Championship Final at Flemington.Melbourne foreman Paul Snowden said the Canny Lad four-year-old wasn't suited to an on-pace role when he finished seventh to Riceman who swept home from last to land the Australian Lamb Company Handicap (1630m) at Flemington on June 26."We didn't want to lead but because of the way the track was playing they were all trying to get t

The Snowden stable blames a decision to lead for the last-start failure of Offenders who will be out to rebound in the Listed Winter Championship Final at Flemington.

Melbourne foreman Paul Snowden said the Canny Lad four-year-old wasn't suited to an on-pace role when he finished seventh to Riceman who swept home from last to land the Australian Lamb Company Handicap (1630m) at Flemington on June 26.

"We didn't want to lead but because of the way the track was playing they were all trying to get to the better part of the track and he began that well he got across," Snowden said.

"Even though they were running slow sectionals they still made him work further out than we wanted and it brought him undone."

"I was disappointed with his run initially but going back through it he is not a horse who likes to lead and he had excuses.

On Saturday Craig Newitt, who has won three of his six rides for the stable this year, takes the mount on Offenders, replacing apprentice Taylor Lovelock-Wiggins.

Newitt's most recent winner for Snowden was at Sandown on Wednesday when he steered Mousseline to victory in the Belle Silhouette Handicap (1400m).

Snowden said he hoped Offenders would draw an inside gate to get an easier run on Saturday.

"He is a horse who likes to slowly build momentum in a race and then finish off," Snowden said.

Offenders has won four of his 15 starts and has rarely been out of the money, being placed on another six occasions.

As an autumn three-year-old he won three races in a row and last spring won the Sale Cup (1600m).

"He is no superstar and he needs things to fall his way, but this is a nice sort of race for him," Snowden said.

Trainer Peter Moody has confirmed that both three-year-old Doubtful Jack and in-form mare Ghostmilk would run in the $200,000 Winter Championship Final.

Ghostmilk didn't compete in the series heats but Moody said he was confident she would make the 16-horse field.