Peter and Paul Snowden set Mazu for Newmarket Handicap at Flemington on Saturday
Sam Clipperton, left, will ride Mazu for the 12th time this weekend for Peter and Paul Snowden. Picture Getty Images
Top class Sydney sprinter Mazu gets his chance to win one of Melbourne's sprinting features in Saturday's $1.5 million group one Newmarket Handicap at Flemington.
Mazu makes his Victorian debut against 15 rivals in the 1200 metre contest down the famous Flemington straight but leading trainer Peter Snowden hopes the four-year-old is up to the challenge.
"Mazu faces a tough task but I'm hoping he's up to it," Snowden told ACM Racing. "It's Mazu's first start down the Flemington straight and that's a big challenge in itself.
"It's a very good field of sprinters in the Newmarket. The Newmarket is always a tough race to win and it's always won by good horses.
"This years race is no different there are numerous chances. The race carries a lot of history and prestige. I would love to win a Newmarket and I'm hoping Mazu can do it on Saturday."
Snowden, who trains in partnership with his son Paul gave Mazu his first look at Flemington in a 800 metre jump-out last Friday. The astute trainer was happy with the work by his lightly raced four-year-old.
"It's always a concern when a horse is having his first run down the Flemington straight," he said. "There's so many different things at play.
"Horses can use an enormous amount of energy when they have their first start down the 1200 metre track. We just wanted to give him a good look at the straight that's why we gave him the jump-out.
"Mazu's work was very good and I believe he's pretty close to being spot-on for the Newmarket. We gave him a trial over 900 metres at Rosehill last month and he worked well in that.
"We've just kept him fresh for the Newmarket as he's got a very good first-up record."
Mazu comes into the time honoured race with an impressive form card winning seven of his 15 starts including a victory in the Doomben 10,000 and a third placing in the $15 million Everest at Randwick last year.
Underrated Sydney jockey Sam Clipperton, who has ridden Mazu in 11 of his races has the ride in the Newmarket.
"We were very lucky to train Redzel," Snowden said. "Redzel was a top class sprinter winning the Everest in 2017 and 2018 plus numerous other top races.
"Mazu is not as good as Redzel but believe me he's not to far behind Redzel. Mazu is a very good sprinter. Sam has a great understanding of Mazu. We have our fingers crossed we have a bit of luck and if we get that I think we'll be in the finish."
Bet365 rate Mazu a $15 chance of winning the Newmarket Handicap in early betting markets.
The Snowden's, who have their main stables at Randwick also have a satellite stable at Flemington. They have three other runners apart from Mazu on Saturday's nine race Flemington program.
Imported galloper Huetor lines up in the $200,000 Australian Cup Prelude over 2000 metres while stablemates Revolutionary Miss and Wollombi take their place in $300,000 group three Kewney Stakes.
"I'm very happy with how Huetor is progressing," he said. "We purchased him from France. He won his first three starts in Australia which is unusual for an import as it usually takes them a preparation to find their feet but Huetor has been different.
"He won the Doomben Cup last year beating home Zaaki so his form is very strong. We've had a few issues with him including an eye infection but he's over those issues now. I think he's set for a good autumn campaign.
"We've got races like the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and Australian Cup in the back of our minds for Huetor. His first-up run in the Chipping Norton Stakes was good as he's not suited by the 1600 metres He's getting out to 2000 metres in the Australian Cup Prelude which is more suitable distance to his racing pattern."
Huetor is rated a $17 hope by Bet365 to win the Australian Cup Prelude.
Snowden found it tough to separate Revolutionary Miss and Wollombi in the Kewney Stakes.
"There both very good fillies," he said. "Revolutionary Miss gets out to 1600 metres after runs over 1200 and 1400 metres.
"She'll be suited by the 1600 metres of the Kewney. She's a nice filly who has only won the one race but with a bit of luck she could have won another few races. Wollombi has won her last three starts and gets out to 1600 metres for the first time.
"I think she'll appreciate the 1600 metres but until they have run over the distance - you just never really know. She's a nine filly who shows plenty of promise. I find it really tough to separate them in a very even Kewney Stakes.
"A win by Revolutionary Miss or Wollombi would be a real boost to their breeding credentials as the Kewney is a group two race."
Revolutionary Miss, who will be ridden by Mark Zahra is a $4.20 chance in betting markets while Wollombi, a $6.50 pop has Clipperton in the saddle.
