Three-year-old gelding Military Zone capped off a big day for Peter and Paul Snowden winning the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
The $3.10 race-favourite weaved his way to the outside to swoop home late, reing the winners’ circle with James McDonald on board after claiming the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) back in April.
The Fred Best is often the ideal leadup into next fortnight’s $1.5 million Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). Peter Snowden said after the race he hasn’t quite made his mind up on the path ahead, but it sounds as though the stable is looking towards the Spring.
Military Zone, above, is now a two-time Group 3 winner after claiming Saturday’s Fred Best Classic. Photo Credit: Steve Hart.
“Way too early to say yet, he’s a really nice horse and he’s getting better with racing. But I think he’s a Spring or Autumn horse, he’s a hard call after what he did today. It’s a long hard thinking process to go through,” Snowden said after the race.
“I always wanted to go here (Eagle Farm), but I just think that one run might be one too many” He doesn’t deserve that, he’s had such a good preparation I’ll let the dust settle and make a decision in a week’s time and see what happens.”
Saturday’s win marked Miltary Zone’s fourth start this prep after running an unlucky second at Scone in the Inglis 3YO Guineas (1400m) a fortnight ago.
“He was a tragedy beaten his last start, he’s a very progressive horse, he’s got a great turn of foot, he’s an easy ride and he’s got a very bright future” Snowden went on to say.
Last year’s Fred Best winner Perast went on to run fifth in the Stradbroke for trainer Paul Perry, but for punters looking to roll the dice, it’s worth noting Military Zone has firmed into $10.00 with Ladbrokes for the Carnival’s feature race.
Also impressing on Saturday were Baccarat Baby and Krone, both of which ran second and third at double-digit place odds.
