3 minute read
The training partnership of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace has been dealt a cruel blow with horror barriers for stablemates Snapdancer and Away Game in the Tatt’s Tiara at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Snapdancer drew the outside gate 21 but will start from barrier 16 if the five emergencies don't obtain runs in the final Group 1 of the season.
Away Game drew gate 17 and will jump from 12 without the emergencies.
The barriers had an immediate impact on TAB markets with early favourite Snapdancer easing to second favourite at $6, behind Annavisto at $4.50, and Away Game was $8.
Snapdancer (pictured winning in January) snared her first win at the highest level when she decisively beat Away Game in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes over 1200 metres at Morphettville last month.
The five-year-old hasn't raced since the May 7 feature which provided hoop Ethan Brown with his first Group 1 winner.
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace was disappointed with the draws but remained hopeful the pair can overcome their barrier setbacks.
"It's not ideal but it is what it is," Eustace said.
"Snapdancer did a great job to win the Robert Sangster when she beat Away Game and she's trained on well."
Snapdancer won the Magic Millions Fillies & Mares over 1300 metres at the Gold Coast in January before claiming the Group 3 Triscay Stakes over 1200 metres at Randwick in February.
The daughter of Choisir was then given her chance in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap over 1200 metres at Flemington in March but beat only two home in the field of 17.
"They went very quick in the Newmarket that day and she wasn't on the best part of the track," Eustace said.
"Since she ran in the Robert Sangster, she won a barrier trial at Deagon which was a good effort and we couldn't be any happier with her."
Snapdancer is a rising six-year-old with six wins and as many placings from 18 starts, with prizemoney of almost $1.3 million.
Eustace said Snapdancer would race for another season and be directed towards the Group 1 Darley Classic over 1200 metres on Derby Day at Flemington in November.
She would then be prepared for another tilt at the Magic Millions in the New Year, while Away Game's future was undecided.
Away Game, a Willy Pike mount, was sold for $4 million at the Magic Millions Broodmare Sale earlier this month after being purchased for $425,000 as a yearling at the Magic Millions sales.
With five wins and 11 placings in 24 starts, including the Magic Millions Classic in 2020, Away Game (pictured) will be looking for her maiden Group 1 win in the Tatt's Tiara over 1400 metres to add her to her prizemoney haul of $3.74m.
She has started in nine Group 1's, finishing second in both the Oakleigh Plate at Caulfield in February and the Robert Sangster Stakes.
Away Game failed to fire for her new owners when unplaced in the Group I BRC Kingsford Smith Stakes at Eagle Farm last month.