From $10,000 gamble to stable star

Peter Snowden couldn’t stand to see Applaud go to a bad home 18 months ago, so he decided to buy him for his wife Lyn.

It wasn’t a popular decision at the time, but time has been Snowden’s friend.

Applaud has four wins from eight starts in stable colous as he heads to Randwick on Saturday.

“He had a bleed and was owned in Hong Kong, so couldn’t go there and they wanted to sell,” Snowden said.

 “I actually forgot he was online and when I checked on the final day of the sale and he was only at $3000.”

“I liked him and didn’t want to see him go to a bad place, so I rang the owners and asked if they would mind if I bid on him.”

“I got for $10,000 and Lyn wasn’t happy.”

“We changed his name because we didn’t want it to look bad for our owners if he won a race.”

With a new name, Applaud went to Muswellbrook for the day that celebrates Lyn’s late brother Greg Cribb and broke his maiden.

“He won his first three when we owned, the next two were at Newcastle and then won first-up this preparation,” Snowden said.

“He has turned out to be a good buy, but I wouldn’t have him if he wasn’t going too cheap.”

“His runs have been good, and he has found a good race again. Tommy Sherry, who usually rides him is away, so James McDonald rang for the ride, which is a good sign.”

Applaud might be the most important runner for Snowden, but he will look to continue a good start to 2026 with Fire Star in the Carrington Stakes.

The stable has had five winners in 23 days this year and was able to line its pockets in Queensland as Needs Some Luck won the Buffering Stakes, Miss Freelove the Sunlight Consolation, before King Of Roseau took out the Magic Millions Cup.

Fire Star, who is a winner of six of his 24 starts, had been trying to get a run at Magic Millions when runner-up, beaten a half-length by Hidden Wealth in the Falvelon Stakes last month.

He steps out to the 1400m for the first time but Snowden feels he is up for the challenge.

“He is rock-hard fit and it will give him the chance to get the seven furlongs,” Snowden said.

“The horse that beat him last time, ran well in the sprint last week at Magic Millions, so the form is good.”

“I think the 1400m should be all right. He went to 1300m at Newcastle on Hunter day and was beaten by a good one [Brave One] and was really strong late.”

“It is a good chance to get him some black type and show he can go that little bit further.”