Exciting Horse Racing News: Xidaki Eyes Winx Guineas Victory Despite Interrupted Preparation
In the world of horse racing, trainers often face unexpected challenges, but Peter Snowden remains confident that his three-year-old, Xidaki, can overcome the interruptions in his preparation and make a strong bid for the upcoming Winx Guineas.
Xidaki was originally scheduled to run at Rosehill on June 1 as a final lead-up to the Gunsynd Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm two weeks later. However, the Sydney meeting was called off halfway through, forcing Snowden to reroute the horse to Randwick seven days later, where he finished a gallant second to War Eternal.
“It’s not a perfect preparation, but it’s as good as it can be with what time we had to work with,” Snowden acknowledged.
Despite the setback, the trainer is banking on Xidaki’s trial at Randwick last Friday to have topped up his fitness ahead of the Group 3 Winx Guineas (1600m) at the Sunshine Coast this Saturday.
A Listed winner over 1400m, Xidaki is untested over the mile distance, but Snowden is confident that the extra ground will not be a problem. “He is going very well. His trial was great here the other day and his last run was excellent,” Snowden said.
The only concern for Snowden is the potentially heavy track conditions at the Sunshine Coast, as Xidaki has shown a preference for softer, but not overly heavy, ground. “The only thing is, that Sunshine Coast heavy is very, very heavy. He is OK on softish ground, on a seven or eight, but those heavy ‘twelves’ they get up there, hopefully we don’t get one of those,” the trainer explained.
Xidaki, to be ridden by James Orman, is currently the second favorite for the Winx Guineas at $3.70, behind the emerging Know Thyself, who remains the solid $2.30 favorite.
Snowden’s determination and Xidaki’s talent will undoubtedly make for an exciting showdown in the Winx Guineas, as the young horse aims to overcome the challenges in his preparation and secure a coveted victory.
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