News

Peter Snowden takes a leap of faith with Kangarilla Joy in Silver Shadow Stakes

20th Aug 2015

Sydney Morning Herald - Chris Roots - Thursday 20 August, 2015

Peter Snowden walked into the ring to try and buy a Lonhro filly at the Inglis Easter Sales last year and was blown out of the water but minutes later he was offered the chance to train Kangarilla Joy.

American-based Stonestreet Stables had won a spirited battle for the filly. When the hammer dropped, $840,000 was the call.

"We have already had a bit of luck with them. They bought Miracles Of Life [which went on to win the Robert Sangster Stakes under Peter and Paul Snowden's care]," Snowden said.

"But this filly was their first purchase. I was standing behind them when they bought her. I had seen the filly and I liked her but she went for three times what I thought she would make.

"I walked past them and said good luck with her and they said don't go away, you can train her. That's how I got her, just like that."

Kangarilla Joy was bought to be a black-type winner and after a winning debut midweek at Warwick Farm on August 5, she will quickly get her chance in Saturday's Silver Shadow Stakes at Randwick.

"It is probably way too big of a jump to what I normally would do but my hand was forced a little because there are no races to lead them into these sort of [group 2] races," Snowden said.

"She has shown me enough at home that she is a bit above average and will be competitive on Saturday."

The Snowdens tried the filly as a two-year-old, winning a trial in February, but she needed time.

Kangarilla Joy would have a second preparation and wait until Warwick Farm to make an impressive debut.

It was what Snowden expected in a sense after he had a lot to do with sons and daughters of Lonhro when he was the head trainer at Darley. He said Kangarilla Joy compares favourable to the better ones.

"She is a typical Lonhro. She has probably got a bit more scope about her at an early age," Snowden said. "She is a fairly rangy filly. She has got a great attitude to her work, she is very laid back. She does what you ask her to do. She has got a good turn of foot and nice ability.

"She has a long way to go to make what she was purchased for but she is a talented filly and I think she has got a future."

She is part of small but competitive Silver Shadow, where cases can be made for all six runners.

Blue Diamond and Golden Slipper placegetter Lake Geneva is the $3.20 favourite at Ladbrokes after breaking her maiden at Hawkesbury to start her spring carnival, with the inform Gai Waterhouse-trained Kimberley Star at $3.60 second pick.

Kangarilla Joy is a $6 hope, while another Waterhouse runner, Speak Fondly, is $4.40 as she resumes with the blinkers on for the first time.