Peter and Paul Snowden have an outstanding record in the Roman Consul Stakes and thanks to a kind barrier draw, King Of Sparta will be given the chance to enhance it.
The trainers have won three of the past five editions of the Group 2 sprint, the last two in a row with Cosmic Force (2019) and Wild Ruler (2020).
They were in two minds about whether to run King Of Sparta or wait for the Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) two weeks from Saturday but after drawing gate six, Peter Snowden says the gelding will almost certainly line up.
“Had he drawn really badly, we wouldn’t have run. Now he’s drawn the middle there’s a good chance he will take his place,” Snowden said.
“He’s on song. He just needs a bit of luck on the day, get the execution right and a good track.”
With Rhapsody Rose an early scratching, a field of nine will tackle the Roman Consul Stakes (1200m), led by Paulele who remains in contention for Godolphin’s vacant Everest slot.
Paulele finished ahead of King Of Sparta when the pair clashed in the Heritage Stakes won by Home Affairs, with Paulele second and King Of Sparta fourth.
But Snowden saw plenty of merit in his three-year-old’s performance from an outside barrier.
“The horse ran great at Rosehill the other day. His sectionals were fantastic,” Snowden said.
“He drew a really bad gate and was back a long, long way but his last 600 metres was very good.”
Paulele is a clear cut $2.30 favourite for Saturday’s feature with King Of Sparta on the third line of betting at $7.