Snowden claims Mazu is the forgotten 10,000 runner

By Glenn Davis

The father and son training partnership of Peter and Paul Snowden believe defending champion Mazu has become the forgotten runner in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 on Saturday.

Mazu gave Peter Snowden his fourth Doomben 10,000 and his first with son Paul when he claimed last year’s feature when it was run at Eagle Farm over 1200 metres.

The four-year-old is coming off a last start sixth to headline act Giga Kick in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes when he stepped up to 1400 metres for the first time at Randwick last month.

The Snowdens believe Mazu will be better suited around the tighter turning Doomben track in his bid to turn the tables on Giga Kick.

“The speed was full on in the All Aged and was a bit ridiculous," co-trainer Paul Snowden said. 

“He’s dropping back in distance to 1200 metres which suits and he should like Doomben.

“He’s going every bit as good as last year and he does seem to be the forgotten horse in the race as he’s come through different races this year.

“He hasn’t lost any of his ability and we’ve met Giga Kick three times but haven’t beaten him yet.”

Mazu is trying to deny Giga Kick a possible place in the history books as the shortest priced winner of the Doomben 10,000.

Giga Kick is an odds-on favourite to claim his second Group 1 and is a $1.80 hotpot in latest TAB markets for the Doomben 10,000.

Rival Eduardo became the shortest priced favourite to win the Doomben 10,000 two years ago when he was heavily backed to start at $1.70.

Champion sprinter Manikato held the record previously as the shortest priced winner at $2.25 when successful in 1979.

Broad Reach, Baguette and Auction were $2.50 favourites when successful in 1987, 1972 and 1942 respectively, while dual Doomben 10,000 winner Apache Cat was a $2.60 favourite when he won for the first time in 2008. 

Giga Kick’s trainer Clayton Douglas has declared his star sprinter is spot on for the Doomben 10,000.

"It’s going to take a good one to bet him,” Douglas said. 

“He arrived on Sunday and galloped well by himself on Tuesday and the month between runs is stock standard for him.

“The only horse that has gone past him was I Wish I Win (in the T J Smith) and that was on heavy ground.”

If Mazu is successful he’ll join Apache Cat (2008 and 2009), Falvelon (2001 and 2002) Chief De Beers (1995 and 1998), Prince Trialia (1990 and 1991) and Black Onyx (1969 and 1970) as the only horses to win the race twice.

A win from Mazu will also put Snowden senior within one win of champion Sydney trainer, the late Tommy Smith, who won six Doomben 10,000’s during an illustrious career.