| Peter and Paul Snowden won their third Magic Millions Maiden Plate (1200m) in seven years when the aptly-named Hinchinbrook mare Warmth scored in the $250,000 feature at a sun-bathed Gold Coast on Saturday. |
| Having run narrow placings in all three career starts at Wyong, Goulburn and Gosford in mid-2021, the four-year-old was favoured by punters to land Saturday’s lucrative prize first-up. Courtesy of a textbook ride from an inside draw by jockey Tommy Berry, Warmth justified her favouritism with victory over fast-finishing stablemate Devil’s Throat, who was forced to concede the leaders a significant start from the outside barrier. The race was delayed by several minutes due to two late scratchings at the barriers and Paul Snowden said he was concerned with how each horse would handle the hot conditions. The Sydney trainer said the win had been a long time coming for Warmth. “It was a good effort by both horses,” Snowden said. “Obviously what happened pre-race was out of everyone’s control but it’s so hot out there and they (horses) were struggling with the heat prior to going out. “It’s been a long time coming, she’s finished behind some horses that have gone on and figured in some nice races. “We were pretty confident about her chances today off the good draw. “Devil’s Throat has also had his foot on the till but the draw offset his chances, it made it so difficult from there.” Tommy Berry praised the Snowden stable and said Warmth had taken noticeable benefit from her recent spell. Berry has twice won the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic on the Gold Coast but lists his proudest moment in racing as watching on as his late brother Nathan Berry won the lucrative feature aboard Unencumbered in 2014. “She’s just come back a different horse,” Berry said. “When she couldn’t win last preparation, the Snowden team and the connections thought this maiden worth quite a bit at the Gold Coast could be a nice target. “From the time I sat on her this preparation, she’s a lot stronger and much more relaxed. “It’s a great day for me and my family so it’s great to start on a good note.” Warmth was offered as part of the Luskin Park draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, where she was purchased for $525,000 by Stonestreet Stables and Newgate Bloodstock. The Snowden stable won the Magic Millions Maiden Plate in 2017 with Ajani and in 2016 with Wolf Cry. |
