Trainer Peter Snowden today entered new territory when Sousa gave him his first Group One victory for his new boss Sheikh Mohammed with a devastating display in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick.An emotional Snowden wiped away tears after the milestone and admitted it was a great moment in his career, but one he may have to get used to."I've got to start toughening up a bit like the horses," Snowden said."A lot of hard work goes into an operation like this and it is fantastic to get this Gr

Trainer Peter Snowden today entered new territory when Sousa gave him his first Group One victory for his new boss Sheikh Mohammed with a devastating display in the Spring Champion Stakes at Randwick.

An emotional Snowden wiped away tears after the milestone and admitted it was a great moment in his career, but one he may have to get used to.

"I've got to start toughening up a bit like the horses," Snowden said.

"A lot of hard work goes into an operation like this and it is fantastic to get this Group One.

"This horse is tough and he handled the wet track so well."

Sousa, who won the Spring Stakes at Newcastle last month, was ridden confidently by Corey Brown who took him to the lead before the turn.

He dashed clear in the straight and try as the favourite Predatory Pricer could he was still six lengths away on the line.

Excelltastic held his position for third another three-quarters of a length away.

"I told Corey not to hesitate and to get going before they do," Snowden said.

"He was always going to be a better horse in front.

"I don't know where he goes next but the Victoria Derby is a possibility."

Sheikh Mohammed bought the Woodlands racing and breeding empire earlier this year for a reported half a billion dollars.

He combined those horses with his already-established Darley operation with Sousa one of the horses to come from Woodlands.

Paul Murray was also looking for a first Group One with Takeover Target's half-brother Predatory Pricer but the wet track played against him.

"He never handled it, he wasn't happy and barrier one didn't help him."

Jockey Glyn Schofield agreed.

"We had no answer to the winner," he said.

"The soft ground took away his speed, he just ground away and ground away but didn't have that zip.

"But there is a lot to look forward to with him."

Sousa also gave his sire Galileo his first southern hemisphere Group One victory with Group Two winner Gallant Tess his previous best performer.

Brown, who won the George Main Stakes last week on Mentality, said the win was more than impressive.

"The further he went the further he went away from them," he said.

"Winning Group One races is what it's all about and he was much too good."