Snowden colt aiming for Millions after tough debut win

Tom Baddock - Wednesday September 20

Star Of Africa is being aimed at the $2 Million Gold Coast Magic Millions Guineas after the colt made a determined winning debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.

Paul and Peter Snowden. Photo: Snowden Racing

The $300,000 yearling purchase had four trials in preparation for his first race start and didn't disappoint, showing good resolve to hit the line strongly after having no luck and being caught three-wide in the run.

Despite covering extra ground, Hugh Bowman didn't panic and let Star Of Africa ($3.90) get into his rhythm, before leaving it to the final furlong to ask for the supreme effort. 

The son of More Than Ready responded gamely to hold off the challenge of Kristen Buchanan's Invincible Gangsta ($31) by three-quarters of a length, with another length back to Anthony and Edward Cummings' November Man ($9.50).

"It was very good to see him hit the line the way he did, he didn't have any favours," Paul Snowden, who trains in partnership with his father Peter said.

"He's a horse that does look around, we were aiming up to sort of get that sweet spot, sort of fourth or fifth and give him something to run down.

"I do feel he's got a lot of upside to him. He's going to get better as the races progress and get a little bit further.

"He's a Magic Millions horse and that's definitely a target for him if he's good enough."

Paul Snowden was confident that the three-year-old would derive great benefit from the race day experience.

"He needs to learn his craft, you've seen him run around a little bit today, Hughie only asked him for an effort in the last hundred or furlong," he said.

"He did everything right to that mark and then he sort of wandered around late. That'll come in time.

"He's put his head up, he's had a bit of a look around but he was still too good.

"He's going to learn a lot more from today."

The Snowden stable last tasted Magic Millions success in 2016 when subsequent Golden Slipper winner Capitalist took out the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
Blockbuster Sale as NZB Ready to Run Records Tumble
Expectations were exceeded at Karaka with tremendous results witnessed across two days of selling at NZB’S 2024 Ready to Run Sale, confirming the demand for proven racetrack results and quality New Zealand-prepared horses.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.