Snowden confident Tuileries primed for Group 1 shot

The recent spate of wet weather in Brisbane prompted Peter Snowden to rejig Tuileries’ build-up to the Tattersall’s Tiara, but he remained confident it wouldn’t impact her winning chances.

The four-year-old was scheduled to tackle the Dane Ripper Stakes (1400m) two weeks ago but was scratched due to the heavy conditions, and Saturday’s Group 1 fillies and mares’ feature will be her first outing in five weeks.

But while Tuileries hasn’t raced since posting a brave first-up win in the Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone when she lumped topweight of 59.5kg and overcame a wide draw, Snowden is satisfied a subsequent barrier trial has kept her up to the mark.

“I’m not too worried about it. She did trial the week before the Dane Ripper. It’s not as though she hasn’t been to the races or trials,” Snowden said.

“She’s been up in Brisbane the past two weeks and did a strong bit of work on Tuesday morning when she went very well.

“I’m quietly confident she will run well, and the good draw (barrier three) will help.”

Tuileries has long been held in high regard by Snowden and got her career off to a good start with wins at two of her first three starts.

However, being by middle-distance star So You Think, she has improved with age, establishing herself as a genuine black-type horse this season with a brace of Group 3 wins and the same number of stakes placings.

Snowden won the corresponding race with Tashi 12 months ago and says Tuileries isn’t unlike her former stablemate.

“They’re similar. Tashi had run about seven placing in stakes races and never won one, and that was her maiden black-type win,” he said.

“This filly has won a few stakes races, but it’s her first crack at a Group One.

“We have always liked her so it’s good to see her get to this sort of class now.”

Chad Schofield has been aboard for Tuileries two stakes wins and has the ride in the Tiara.

In an open market, she shares the top line of betting at $6 with Victorian Splash Back and the Chris and Corey Munce-trained Gerringong.