Strasbourg wins Max Lees Classic

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Strasbourg has made an impressive debut to win the Max Lees Classic for two-year-olds on the short course at the late trainer’s home track, Newcastle.

Ridden by Corey Brown, Strasbourg ($1.60 fav) covered the 900 metres in 51.72 seconds on Sunday to beat Snowzone ($5), from the stable of Lees’ trainer son Kris, by two lengths.

Max Lees had many Group One victories including the 1977 Golden Slipper with Luskin Star.

Peter Snowden said $750,000 colt Strasbourg had lived up to his good looks.

“He’s a good sort and they paid a lot of money for him and you can see why,” Snowden told Sky Thoroughrbed Central.

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“I gave Corey the option to sit off them knowing he would be good late and that was the case.

“It was good to see him run through the line and hit top gear 100 (metres) out.”

Strasbourg is owned by a group which includes the China Horse Club and Newgate Farm.

The colt was one of four winners at the meeting for Brown who also rode the Snowden-trained Charretera, Sizzled for Brad Widdup and Quality Approach for the Victorian partnership of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace.

Quality Approach has also won at Hawkesbury to continue the success of Maher and Eustace runners in NSW which includes Dubious’ win in the Breeders’ Plate.