Snellen gives Porter lots to look forward to, as Miss Information takes Kensington Palace Stakes
Australian owner Tim Porter – of Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) fame – looks to have another exciting recruit on his hands after witnessing his recent purchase Snellen (Expert Eye) run a massive race to be second in Wednesday’s Kensington Palace Stakes (1m) at Royal Ascot.
Acquired by Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman on behalf of Porter for £200,000 (approx. AU$412,970) at Monday evening’s Goffs London Sale, the Gavin Cromwell-trained four-year-old daughter of Expert Eye (Acclamation) landed the Chesham Stakes (Listed, 7f) at the 2023 royal meeting.
Lining up at odds of 25-1 in Wednesday’s 23-runner Kensington Palace, Snellen hit the front inside the final furlong under Gary Carroll and looked set to collect first prize, but was run down by the Andrew Balding-trained Miss Information (Blue Point) who eventually scored by a length.
Snellen would hold on for a gallant second place by a head over Cheshire Dancer (Phoenix Of Spain).
Running off an official BHA mark of 100, Snellen was the joint-second highest rated horse in the race, enhancing her performance on the figures considering she gave the winner seven pounds.
“She’s run fantastically well,” Boman told ANZ News. “That is the highest mark she’s ever run off and she’s run out of her skin, travelled like the winner, looked the winner, and it was a great thrill for all the guys here. We thought we had it.
“She won here two years ago, course form is always key. I thought the draw [stall 20] was good and it worked out perfectly for her and she’s the best filly in the race [at the weights] and the handicapper has just got his grips on her.
“We’ll probably try and build a bit more black-type now, maybe even at Group level, and have some fun with her. She tries her heart out and is a lovely filly.”
Asked about the filly’s £200,000 sale price now, Boman said: “It’s ok. I felt pretty comfortable about it then [on Monday] so for sure [now].”
Porter revealed post-race that Snellen was set to remain with Cromwell at his Navan-based yard for the rest of the UK and Ireland flat season, before a decision would be made on whether she heads to Australia.
“She run super, absolutely super, and I have probably got a bit lucky mate! I didn’t know much about her and Stuart [Boman] did a lot of homework on her and we bought her pretty right on Monday,” Porter told ANZ News.
“We’re not in a hurry to take her back to Australia with us, we can tippy-toe our way with Gavin [Cromwell, trainer] and see what else we can find.”
“I’d love to [come back to Royal Ascot]. It’s an absolutely great experience, it’s the third year we’ve been here and we love it.”