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By Ray Hickson

He has more than three lengths to make up from their last clash but co-trainer Peter Snowden is adamant Don Corleone can turn the tables on Militarize in Saturday’s Group 1 $600,000 Moet & Chandon Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick.

Trainer Peter Snowden (Pic: Steve Hart)

Snowden points to a section of the Inglis Sires’ two weeks ago where the race got away from Don Corleone and presented it to Militarize as evidence there’s not a lot between the two colts.

If he is able to reverse the result it would mirror last year’s Champagne Stakes where She’s Extreme managed to down Fireburn after chasing her home in the Sires’.

“Militarize was inside us coming to the 600m mark and turning for home the horse Hugh (Bowman) was following had to ease and as he did Militarize kicked up and got in front of the tiring horse and accelerated,’’ Snowden said.

“It was a crucial part of the race where he got strung up behind that horse on the corner. By the time we got into clear air he was three lengths in front of us.

“So I thought his run was very good the other day.

“He beat us fair and square but Hughie said if that hadn’t have happened he may not have won but he’d have made it interesting.”

Regardless of whether Don Corleone, $3.60 with TAB on Thursday, would have won that race will never be known but it gives Snowden heart that there isn’t a lot between the pair.

Snowden has won the Champagne five times, three times under the Darley banner and twice in partnership with son Paul through King’s Legacy (2020) and Captivant (2021) and he said Don Corleone is handling his preparation like a pro.

“I don’t think a mile is going to hurt him, he’s a tough horse and he looks the same as he did six weeks ago,’’ he said.

Stablemate Make A Call is a handy back-up to Don Corleone but Snowden said after the colt threw away the Fernhill last weekend he’ll have to do everything right on Saturday to be a chance.

There’s not doubt he feels there’s plenty of talent in the locker but he’s now had seven starts without a win. Tom Marquand rides him in the Champagne.

“Nothing makes him focus up and the horse just wants to do these immature things,’’ Snowden said.

“He’ll get out of it one day and it’d be a good day to get out of it Saturday. He’s good enough.

“The other day he just should have won. Those little mistakes cost dearly at a high level and you can’t afford it.”

Snowden is confident the ever consistent Mazu will handle 1400m as he attempt to break through for his first win this season in the $1.5m Schweppes All Aged Stakes.

The four-year-old recorded another placing when third behind I Wish I Win and Giga Kick in the TJ Smith Stakes. He’s only been beyond 1200m once for a second to Private Eye in the Nature Strip Stakes (1300m) last spring.

“It’s unknown territory with him but I think it’s a great time to try. Have a crack at a race like this and see how he does get the trip,’’ Snowden said.

“There’s no reason why he won’t, he’s very genuine. He can race forward or back and can adapt to speed and he’s a good trier.

Don Corleone runs second in the Inglis Sires'

Mazu is the only horse currently holding a slot for the TAB Everest later this year as he was secured on a two year deal by The Star & Arrowfield and he ran third in the first year of that deal.

Snowden would like to see Mazu get his head in front on the line again after he momentarily looked the winner in the TJ when he claimed Nature Strip but had no answer to the swoopers.

“I think he thought the job was done when he got past him,’’ he said.

“He can do that when he hits the front, prick his ears a bit, and the other two horses swamped him late.

“But they are two good horses. I was disappointed to get beaten but you look at the horses that beat him you can’t be too disappointed with the effort.”

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