Brave Song after rich prize in The Hunter

Trainer Peter Snowden has thrown his support behind the stand-alone Newcastle meeting.

Peter and Paul Snowden have thrown their support behind the inaugural $1 million The Hunter meeting at Newcastle with the stable likely to have two runners in the main race.

Peter Snowden says the concept of stand-alone Saturday provincial meetings, held on the heels of the major carnivals in Sydney and Melbourne, is a great move by the industry.

Saturday’s Newcastle fixture, featuring the The Hunter (1300m) and Group Three Spring Stakes (1600m), will be followed a week later by a stand-alone meeting at Kembla Grange featuring The Gong (1800m) also worth $1 million.

The Snowdens head to Newcastle off the back of a treble at Rosehill on Saturday including the $1 million Golden Gift with Dame Giselle and Group Two Hot Danish Stakes with Reelem In Ruby.

“We will have runners in nearly every race at Newcastle,” Snowden said.

“In the main race we’ll have Brave Song and maybe Signore Fox.

“It’s fantastic. You see what is does for Scone, that’s a magic meeting and Newcastle will be just as big.

“It gives everyone a whack at the cherry.

“Everyone will go there and it’s not just the money. They’re good tracks to go to. Newcastle and Kembla are big tracks, big roomy tracks so everything gets a chance.”

A solid performer at Listed and Group Three level, Brave Song has been unplaced in three starts this spring but Snowden says he has been unlucky including most recently when eighth, beaten less than two lengths, in the Redzel Stakes on November 2 won by Pierata.

“He’s just had no luck, “Snowden said.

“I wished Brenton had have come to the outside, not gone back in because he likes a bit of room and he was only beaten a length and three-quarters.

“He’s not far off.”

Leading local trainer Kris Lees will have at least two runners – multiple Group One winner Le Romain and Graff.

Le Romain ran third in the Redzel Stakes while Graff won a barrier trial on the Beaumont track at Newcastle last week.