Horse Racing
Team Snowden trio ready to Ripper
A formula that worked to perfection for Coco Jamboo’s Australian debut has been replicated by her trainers in their hunt for another feature race win.
The former English mare made a winning start for Peter and Paul Snowden in the Hawkesbury Crown on May 4, getting the job done off the back of a single barrier trial.
While she has been nominated for a couple of races since then, connections have opted to keep their powder dry, instead waiting for Saturday’s Group 2 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m) at Eagle Farm for her reappearance.
Although it will be just her second Australian start, Coco Jamboo has already endeared herself to her trainers, Peter Snowden adamant her grit and determination can carry her far.
“She is only a small filly and went into that race at Hawkesbury off one trial and she was brilliant, so I’m doing a similar sort of thing here,” Peter Snowden said.
“While she is only small, she is clean-winded, and she tries her heart out.
“I love horses like her. When they try that hard, I don’t care where they run, they’re giving their best. Horses that try hard, you can’t beat it.”
Coco Jamboo will be joined in Saturday’s race by barn mates Revolutionary Miss and Ghaanati, both classy mares in their own right.
Ghaanati was a brave fourth in the Hawkesbury Crown then was eased down by jockey Josh Parr in the Dark Jewel Classic at Scone when he was unhappy with her action over the final stages.
She has been given a month to get over that run and is a placegetter at the track.
Snowden was pleased with the first-up effort of Revolutionary Miss, who finished midfield from a wide gate in the Helen Coughlan Stakes (1200m), and he expects her to strip fitter as she heads towards her winter carnival goal.
“She wasn’t beaten far from a bad gate. She was first-up and she normally takes one or two runs,” Snowden said.
“Her third run is usually her best run and the Tatt’s Tiara will be her third run.”
The final Group 1 race of the 2023-24 season, The Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) is at Eagle Farm a fortnight from Saturday.