Justin Snaith said the cancellation of the Sun Met gallops saved him from having to scratch his Met contender Oh Susanna, whom he said will instead arrive at the race “spot on”, as will all four of his other contenders, African Night Sky, Copper Force, Krambambuli and Elusive Silva.
Oh Susanna – only 3yo in the race
Oh Susanna, a smart three-year-old daughter of Street Cry, romped home to a cosy victory in the Grade 1 Cartier Paddock Stakes after over-racing and she flew home for second in the Grade 1 WSB Cape Fillies Guineas. Snaith pointed out that when Street Cry fillies are good they are very good with the two best examples being the legends Zenyatta and Winks.
“There are no boundaries to them,” he said. “So with such a good pedigree, and as she is a young horse who is still raring to go, she has got to be respected carrying just 51,5kg.”
Snaith added, “But, she cannot afford to over-race in the Met”.
The Phillippi-based trainer began working on the over-racing issue immediately after the Paddock Stakes and said, “Fortunately playing polo has increased my knowledge of bits.”
A new bit has been part of the solution and he added, “I think the pace will be faster in the Met too, which will help.”
African Night Sky had no luck in L’Ormarins Queen’s Plate
Winter Triple Crown hero African Night Sky did not have much luck in the L’Ormarin’s Queen’s Plate, as he was caught one wide without cover the whole way. Snaith was upbeat about the four-year-old Dynasty gelding’s chances in the Met and said, “That was his second run after a rest in a fast run race and he finished only 2,9 lengths back. Over 2000m, in his third run after a rest, he will finish closer.”
Copper Force – can repeat Queen’s Plate cracker
He was also bullish about Copper Force’s chances. The gelding nearly caused a major shock in the Queen’s Plate when flying through for second. Snaith said, “He was very unlucky as he came from last and couldn’t get a run in the straight, he had to be switched twice, and the winner also wouldn’t give up. Legal Eagle is a tough horse and showed incredible guts.”
There is a possible question mark about Copper Force enjoying 2000m, but Snaith said, “I don’t see why he shouldn’t get it. The best milers can win the Met.”
Krambambuli – great prep
Krambambuli is rated a 50/1 shot by Betting World, but Snaith said on the performance of his last start in the Grade 2 Peninsula Handicap over 1800m, he “without doubt has a shout.” Snaith pointed out, “He carried 60kg (In the Peninsula) so gave the whole field weight and he came from last, 20 lengths back, and cut through the field like a knife through butter. I thought it was the most impressive run of the day together with Oh Susanna’s run in the Paddock Stakes.”
Elusive Silva is also 50/1 with Betting World. His class was proven by his wins in the Grade 3 Winter Derby in 2016 and the Listed Sledgehammer last season. However, his career has been beset by injury.
Elusive Silva – tough in the wfa conditions
Snaith said, “That was a prep run and he has come on a lot for it. But I do worry about his capability in a weight for age event like this.”
He regarded Legal Eagle and Marinaresco as the ones to beat and also mentioned Captain America, who ran a gallant race from the front in the Queen’s Plate. They are in fact the three highest merit rated horses too, so should be in front on paper under the new weight for age conditions.
