Should Huetor capture the The Beauford at Newcastle, it would not simply be a winning comeback — it would be a tribute to both Peter Snowden’s care and the gelding’s astonishing toughness.
The French import has endured two career-threatening ordeals: a severe eye infection in 2022 requiring multiple surgeries, and the grisly tendon laceration he suffered when galloped on during the Caulfield Cup last year.
“He got galloped on in the Caulfield Cup last year near the 1800-metre mark, really badly,” Snowden said.
“When he came back in, we saw all this blood down his leg and to see the tendon, it was a horrible sight.
“The vet said, ‘we’ll save him, but he will never race again’.
“He has been through the wars, but he keeps coming back.”
Huetor’s initial three runs this preparation did little to inspire confidence, with Snowden worried that the injury comeback may not be successful after all.
Seeking answers, the stable applied blinkers — and the change brought immediate improvement as Huetor charged home for a closing fourth in the Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m).
That effort convinced Snowden to push ahead towards Saturday’s The Beauford (2300m).
“That was his last chance. I said to the owners, ‘if he doesn’t do something today, I don’t want to keep sending him around finishing where he is. I’ll look after him. Give him to me and I’ll look after him forever’,” Snowden said.
“Low and behold, he bounced out and did what he did.
“It’s not the perfect race for him but I’m keen to run him because his work is great and he’s going well.”
In addition to Huetor, Snowden also lines up Grand Prairie in the Spring Stakes, where the talented three-year-old sits atop early markets under the set-weights format.
Grand Prairie was unplaced at Flemington but had strong form in Sydney beforehand.
“He’s just got to get a mile. That’s the only box he’s got to tick,” Snowden said.
“But he’s such a relaxed horse and he has such a big action, I’m fairly confident he will run it out.”
Find the latest Beauford and Spring Stakes betting markets via the JHR bookmakers guide.
