Latest News

By Ray Hickson

It’ll be a bit like sending Miss Hellfire into the great unknown when the filly makes her debut in Wednesday’s $200,000 Wyong Magic Millions (1100m).

Trainer Peter Snowden (Pic: Steve Hart)

Co-trainer Peter Snowden said he knows plenty about the Hellbent filly’s current strengths but it’s hard to predict what will happen in a full field of inexperienced youngsters around Wyong.

The filly was a $60,000 buy prior to her half-sister Xtremetime winning a stakes race and she’s won both barrier trials so from that perspective she can’t have done a lot more.

“She’s a nice little filly, her trials have been good, she seems to be a little runner,’’ Snowden said.

“Right from the get go she showed a little bit of ability but it’s a bit of an ask against those horses.

“But a lot are in the same boat as us, I’m happy with her and she will be competitive.”

The Peter and Paul Snowden partnership celebrated its 1000th winner last Friday night and are chasing their second Wyong Magic Millions following Capitalist’s success in 2015.

Miss Hellfire, $4.80 with TAB on Tuesday, doesn’t have the credentials of that colt, who would win the Golden Slipper later that season, but Snowden is confident she will put her best foot forward and if that’s good enough to win then bigger thigs may be in store.

She had her first trial back in October over 850m then reappeared on December 7 to easily win a 740m heat at Randwick.

“We wanted to give her an easy trial, she’s a quick filly, she’s very tough that’s what I like about her,’’ he said.

“First starters can jump good in trials and be slow out in a race, all those things come into it, but she’s in top gear in two strides so that will help her.

“She’ll be in the first four pretty comfortably. She’ll be handy but I wouldn’t think she’ll lead.

“She’s one of those horses that will keep running for you, she’s very genuine, tries very hard.”

Meanwhile, emerging import Huetor is likely to chase a hat-trick in a 2000m Benchmark 88 at Randwick on Saturday before the stable aims up at bigger things in the autumn.

The former French galloper has been a revelation as he’s reeled off sizzling sectionals to win over a mile at Newcastle then again over 2000m at Rosehill two weeks ago.

“He’s a really good stable horse, he’s a great eater, he bounced off that race and I want to see what he’s like after a two week back up,’’ Snowden said.

“I’m really impressed with his turn of speed, his sectionals have been great.”

Miss Hellfire wins a trial at Randwick on December 7

Snowden said consideration was given to waiting until the Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) on Boxing Day but believes staying in his grade for now may be better in the long run as he still has a low percentage racing style.

“He just flops out of the gates, he doesn’t know how to jump and get going, but when he gets up over a mile and a half we’ll push him up closer,’’ he said.

“We’ll let him find his own spot at the moment.

“Little fish are sweet, his benchmark would get up into the 90s if he happens to win which is fair enough and we deserve to go to better races next time in.”

Check out the fields, form and replays for Wednesday's meeting at Wyong