Royal Ascot contenders Coolangatta, Artorius and Cannonball all competed in a 900m jumpout at Flemington Monday morning with connections of two of the three horses well satisfied.
Cannonball finished second, Coolangatta third and Artorius a late closing fifth.
Cool
angatta’s co-trainer Ciaron Maher reportedly described her gallop as "plain" and will assess the daughter of Written Tycoon further before her planned departure on June 7.
Artorius is headed to the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) on the last day of Royal Ascot with connections believing he is in better shape than last year, while Coolangatta and Cannonball will go to the Group I King’s Stand Stakes (5f) on June 21 and Peter and Paul Snowden could not be happier with Cannonball.
Peter Snowden was delighted with Cannonball, who is flying under the radar somewhat having only had one start at Group I level when he finished third to Mariamia in the ATC The Galaxy carrying just 50kg.
Cannonball has nothing to lose and much to gain at Royal Ascot - image Steve Hart
"He trialled great,'' Snowden told Racenet.
"You would be hard to please if you weren't happy with that trial.
"It is good to see him continue with the form he has been showing us this year.
"He is still a young horse, he's a three-year-old colt but he definitely has a lot of potential.
"I feel he is almost there now. He had a bit of a ‘puff' this morning and we won't do much more with him before he leaves for England.
"He won't do any more fast work but we might do some pacework on the weekend.
"When we get to England I'm hoping we can take him to Ascot to have a look at the track before his race.''
A powerhouse chestnut colt by Capitalist, Cannonball was a $975,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Newgate Farm draft for James Harron Bloodstock and runs for a syndicate of JHB clients.
A full brother to Group II winning sprinter Marine One from stakes-winning Snitzel mare Golconda, Cannonball will be looking to build his profile as a sire prospect for the future.
