The Blue Diamond and Australian Guineas are top of the wish list for Paul Snowden in his final couple of months with Darley.
Snowden is the Melbourne foreman for his father, Darley head trainer Peter, with the pair to begin a new venture at the end of the Sydney carnival.
Paul is likely to make the move to Sydney to begin setting up their new stable at the end of the Melbourne carnival in March and hopes to leave with a couple more Group One wins for Sheikh Mohammed.
Peter Snowden has trained a Blue Diamond winner with champion colt Sepoy in 2011 but the Australian Guineas has been a race which has eluded the team.
“They (Darley) have done nothing wrong to us and it’s the only job I’ve ever had,” Paul Snowden said.
“So I want to go out on a good note.”
Breeders Plate runner-up Mohave starts his Blue Diamond campaign in the Preview (1000m) for colts on Saturday at Caulfield and will be joined by first starter Elevates, while Sakitto will chase black type in the fillies Preview.
Darley’s boom filly Earthquake, favourite for the Group One Blue Diamond on February 22, is scheduled to make her Melbourne debut in the fillies Prelude on February 8 and is due to barrier trial at Cranbourne on Thursday week.
San Diego, meanwhile, is being aimed at the Australian Guineas on March 1.
Mohave impressed Paul Snowden in a jumpout at Flemington on Friday and he will be ridden by Glen Boss.
“He’s definitely going to be better over further than what the 1000 metres is next week but he’s a quality horse,” Paul Snowden said.
“He trialled well in good time here on Friday which was relfected by the older horses on the morning. He measured up with how they were running on the morning.
“He’s a serious horse and would definitely be a chance (in the Blue Diamond) as long as he gets there on the day in good form and fit and well.”
Snowden said Elevates, a son of New Approach, was a “really nice horse” who would get back over 1000m but hit the line well.
“We’ll learn a lot more next week,” he said.
Darley is yet to crack it for a two-year-old win in Melbourne this season but have the firepower to make an impression during the Blue Diamond series.
“I want to win the Group One. I’ll be happy to win one in February,” Snowden said.