sport, local-sport, peter snowden, bjorn baker, albury gold cup launch, mount tabora, fun fact
GROUP one winning trainers Peter Snowden and Bjorn Baker have set their sights on the Albury Gold Cup. The high-profile Sydney trainers were in Albury yesterday to launch the Albury Gold Cup carnival at the Commercial Club. Snowden has had two previous unsuccessful attempts at the $200,000 feature. The leading Sydney trainer is hoping it could be a case of third time lucky with his in-form stayer Mount Tabora. "It's still early but I look likely to nominate Mount Tabora," Snowden said. "Two starts back he won well at Flemington over a mile and last Saturday he ran over 2000m at Randwick and got beat by less than a length. "When I was asked to attend today I had a look at what horses could be Albury Cup contenders. "He loves 2000m and a big track, so he may be a suitable horse to bring here." Snowden said Mount Tabora would not have another lead-up race before Albury and Tommy Berry could make the trek to partner the gelding. Baker said he could have a two-pronged attack on the Listed feature with stayers Sir Plush and Fun Fact who are set to target the Canberra Cup on Monday. Fun Fact won at Randwick two starts back before finishing sixth in Listed grade at his most recent start at Rosehill. "I've got two runners in the Canberra Cup on Monday and if they perform well the Albury Cup and the timing of the race is a logical target," Baker said. "Bobby Dee could also race in the cup and will be down in the weights and hopefully a lightweight chance. "I have heard a lot about the Albury carnival and I would love to have a runner in the cup. "I won the Albury Guineas a few years ago and I might have another filly who could be competitive this year. "There is great prizemoney on offer over the carnival and in the scheme of things is not too far to come at all." Snowden has had two previous unsuccessful attempts on the Albury Cup with Kukri and Peck. Peck finished midfield as a $4.60-equal favourite in the 2013 feature taken out by the Brett Cavanough-trained Niblick on protest in the closest and most controversial finish in cup history. Kurki also finished midfield the following year as a $26-chance in the cup won by Canny Ballad. Baker has previously had runners over the Albury carnival but is yet to have a starter in the Listed feature. This year's carnival is set to be the richest in the club's history with more than $770,000 in prizemoney, trophies and bonuses on offer. The Gold Cup has received a $20,000 increase and will be worth $200,000 for the first time.
Trainers Peter Snowden and Bjorn Baker were guest speakers at Friday's Albury Gold Cup launch. Picture: MARK JESSER
GROUP one winning trainers Peter Snowden and Bjorn Baker have set their sights on the Albury Gold Cup.
The high-profile Sydney trainers were in Albury yesterday to launch the Albury Gold Cup carnival at the Commercial Club.
Snowden has had two previous unsuccessful attempts at the $200,000 feature.
The leading Sydney trainer is hoping it could be a case of third time lucky with his in-form stayer Mount Tabora.
"It's still early but I look likely to nominate Mount Tabora," Snowden said.
"Two starts back he won well at Flemington over a mile and last Saturday he ran over 2000m at Randwick and got beat by less than a length.
"When I was asked to attend today I had a look at what horses could be Albury Cup contenders.
"He loves 2000m and a big track, so he may be a suitable horse to bring here."
Snowden said Mount Tabora would not have another lead-up race before Albury and Tommy Berry could make the trek to partner the gelding.
Baker said he could have a two-pronged attack on the Listed feature with stayers Sir Plush and Fun Fact who are set to target the Canberra Cup on Monday.
Fun Fact won at Randwick two starts back before finishing sixth in Listed grade at his most recent start at Rosehill.
"I've got two runners in the Canberra Cup on Monday and if they perform well the Albury Cup and the timing of the race is a logical target," Baker said.
"Bobby Dee could also race in the cup and will be down in the weights and hopefully a lightweight chance.
"I have heard a lot about the Albury carnival and I would love to have a runner in the cup.
"I won the Albury Guineas a few years ago and I might have another filly who could be competitive this year.
"There is great prizemoney on offer over the carnival and in the scheme of things is not too far to come at all."
Snowden has had two previous unsuccessful attempts on the Albury Cup with Kukri and Peck.
Peck finished midfield as a $4.60-equal favourite in the 2013 feature taken out by the Brett Cavanough-trained Niblick on protest in the closest and most controversial finish in cup history.
Kurki also finished midfield the following year as a $26-chance in the cup won by Canny Ballad.
Baker has previously had runners over the Albury carnival but is yet to have a starter in the Listed feature.
This year's carnival is set to be the richest in the club's history with more than $770,000 in prizemoney, trophies and bonuses on offer.
The Gold Cup has received a $20,000 increase and will be worth $200,000 for the first time.
