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By Ray Hickson

Alpha One has already mixed it with the best sprinter of his age group, and gave him a fright, and co-trainer Paul Snowden hopes the three-year-old can continue his rise when he resumes at Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Paul Snowden (Pic: Grant Guy)

The horse in question is TAB Everest winner Giga Kick and just four months ago Alpha One made the star sprinter really stretch his neck to win the Group 3 Vain Stakes at Caulfield.

A stakes return in Melbourne this weekend was initially on the cards for Alpha One but Snowden said after just the one trial last week the Merry Christmas Members Handicap (1000m) will do for now.

“He’s come back well. The only thing that enticed us to stay at home rather than take on classier opposition is he’s only had that one trial,’’ Snowden said.

“It was a little bit of a soft trial, he wasn’t clicked up at all and was well and truly hung onto all the way.

“Maybe the timing wasn’t right to do down there otherwise he probably would have.”

Snowden said being able to run Giga Kick to a head margin capped off a preparation that saw Alpha One take some big steps and while he failed at his final run down the straight there’s plenty of reason to look forward to his summer campaign.

“He went from a Newcastle maiden to a stakes race in one preparation and did a good job,’’ he said.

“He’s a nice horse and we’ve always thought he had that black type level about him.”

While Alpha One, $2.80 favourite with TAB on Thursday, will assume his usual role on pace Snowden said stablemate Stoical is expected to be hitting the line strongly from the back.

The five-year-old finished midfield when returning over 1000m at Kembla on The Gong program a month ago.

“He just held his own to the line. Whether or not he might be looking for further Saturday’s run will determine,’’ he said.

“He’s certainly going well at home. He’s better ridden a little conservative but at 1000m the speed takes control and you land where you find yourself comfortable so we’ll ride him where he’s happy.”

After producing another promising youngster in Sovereign Fund to win the Wyong Magic Millions midweek, the Snowdens unveil $825,000 colt Snapback in the NJT Supports Kate Nipperess (1100m) having elected to miss the Wyong feature.

Snapback has won both his trials, the latest on November 29 when he accounted for subsequent winner and stablemate Godfather at Canterbury.

“It was a soft trial, he wasn’t asked to do much,’’ Snowden said.

“We’re going to the races, like all these horses are, not having been under this much pressure before. So it’ll be interesting to see what they can do when they find that pressure point.

“He’s not screwed right down for the weekend, there’s still a bit of room to move like all horses that stepped out in those trials.”

While the market expects Snapback, $1.80 with TAB on Thursday, to make a winning debut, Snowden warned stablemate Achlys is talented in her own right.

Alpha One wins a Rosehill trial on December 8

The filly finished a handy fourth on a heavy track in the Group 3 Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) in October and also trialled at Canterbury session running third behind Empress Of Wonder.

Snowden said a win for both youngsters is vital for their chances of securing a Magic Millions berth on the Gold Coast next month and in the filly’s case a dry track is in her favour.

“She didn’t surprise us at her debut, she’s a lovely filly, the best part about her is her attitude to her work and her demeanour,’’ he said.

“There’s no doubt she is going to improve once she gets up to 1200m.

“Ninety per cent of horses go better on dry tracks than wet tracks. There’s only a low percentage that handle wet tracks and that’s the reason why they’ll turn form around on dry tracks.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting