France causes upset in $400k Scone Guineas

France, the second stringer from the Snowden stable, has claimed the scalp of Group One winner Prized Icon in the $400,000 Scone Guineas.

The colt was sent out at $16 on Saturday with Victoria Derby winner Prized Icon the $2.80 favourite and Peter and Paul Snowden’s other runner Calanda second elect at $3.30.

There was pre-race drama when Mr Sneaky tossed Jason Collett and took off to a neighbouring paddock from where he watched the race.

But it was to be France’s day with Tye Angland bringing him wide from last as the field straightened to overhaul Prized Icon to win by a short head with Spright ($5) three quarters of a length in third.

Calanda finished sixth, two lengths from his stablemate, after giving him a bump in the run home.

“Pre-race I thought he’d run quite well,” Paul Snowden said.

“The stablemate came out and gave him a couple of shoves in the straight.

“Things didn’t fall his way the other day and Calanda didn’t relax all race which had an effect on him.”

France was unplaced at Randwick three weeks ago on a heavy track.

Angland said he had not intended to be as far back as he was but things worked out well.

“He was very casual and from the time I got him it was all about waking him up and getting his mind on the job.

“I wanted to be midfield but couldn’t get there because I was going to be caught wide.

“There were some classy horses in front of him and he showed a good turn of foot.”