Snowden backs McEvoy choice

By Mandy Cottell

SYDNEY, Sept 13 AAP - Jockeys don't always make the wisest decisions when given a choice of horses to ride in a race.

But Darley trainer Peter Snowden believes Kerrin McEvoy has got it right by opting to partner Albrecht over stablemate Epaulette in Saturday's $1 million Golden Rose.

"He's my pick of the two," Snowden said of Albrecht.

"He's really been aimed at this race. It's just unfortunate he's drawn a bad gate.

"Luck in running will play a big part for him."

Both Snowden-trained colts were out of luck at Tuesday's barrier draw with Albrecht drawing widest in the field of 10 while Epaulette fared marginally better with eight.

It is the second consecutive race in which Albrecht has come up with the biggest marble but he was able to overcome it last start to score a resounding win in the Group Three Up And Coming Stakes (1300m).

That was the same race Manawanui won 12 months ago en route to landing the Golden Rose (1400m).

While Saturday's Group One will be Albrecht's first test at the highest level, Snowden is confident the colt will measure up.

"I think he's right up to this," he said.

"There was no fluke about his win the other day. He was very dominant and he's done very well since."

Epaulette might be the stable's second string but it's not due to a lack of ability.

A three-quarter brother to last year's Golden Rose placegetter Helmet, hopes are high he can follow in the footsteps of his older sibling who went on to claim the Caulfield Guineas.

Snowden was rapt with his effort to finish third to benchmark colt Pierro first-up in the Run To The Rose and happier still will his subsequent progress.

"The winner was too good but his effort was solid and he's improved dramatically since then," Snowden said.

"It surprised me how much he has improved.

"He will run well but I really have targeted the Guineas Prelude and the Guineas in Melbourne. They're the two target races for him."

Punters have also zeroed in on Albrecht as Darley's best chance and on Thursday he shared the third line of TAB fixed odds markets at $9 with Epaulette at $13.

Boom filly Nechita is the $2.20 favourite following her brilliant return victory in the Silver Shadow Stakes.

Snowden agrees she is a worthy favourite but he can also see some possible vulnerabilities.

Not only is she taking on the colts for the first time but she is also facing her first Group One test.

"It was a good field the other day and she was dominant but I think this is a class rise for her," Snowden said.

"But my feel is she's done enough to say she's above average and deserves to be favourite."