The Chelmsford Stakes shapes as the likely campaign starting point for two-time Group One winner Huetor as connections look to get him out in journey this spring.
Trainer Peter Snowden plans to nominate the gelding for Saturday’s Group 2 mile at Randwick following a pleasing1200m barrier trial performance on Friday when he missed the start but finished strongly for fifth to Deny Knowledge.
While Huetor has been primarily restricted to mile and middle-distance races since his arrival in Australia in 2021, he is a winner up to 2400m overseas and Snowden is keen for him to revisit that distance this campaign.
“He is fresh and well and I’m looking forward to getting him out to a mile-and-a-half this preparation,”‘ Snowden said.
“Where we get to, we’ll see how he goes along the way, but there are some nice options through the spring.
“Every preparation we’ve had him, he has won or run some really good races.
“He is a two-time Group One winner, so he owes us nothing, but he keeps performing every time he comes into work. Hopefully he keeps going that way and we can pick a nice race up with him over the spring or autumn.”
Snowden also has staying race ambitions for the under-rated Touristic, who has finished runner-up in the Grafton and Premier’s Cups at his past two starts.
The Group 3 Newcastle Cup (2300m) at the end of September is next on his agenda with Snowden saying the gelding is relishing being kept on the fresh side.
“He likes a bit of time between runs, he is really reacting off that,” he said.
“He went to the line very strongly the other day so fitness-wise, he’s where we want him.
“It will be just under a month between runs, but I don’t think he needs to go around before that. We can do enough on the track to keep him where he is now.
“We will have him as good as we can on the day, but Newcastle, for mine, is where we’re going.”
The Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) is among five stakes races at Randwick next Saturday, along with the Group 3 Concorde Stakes (1000m) which will feature the return of 2022 Everest winner Giga Kick.
