Peter Snowden has once again stamped his authority on the Hawkesbury Guineas, with Media World bravely holding off Just Party in a thrilling finish to hand the trainer his fifth win in the Group Three event.

Partnered by jockey Tyler Schiller, the $9 chance took up the running after a tussle for position early, then refused to yield in the straight, fending off a determined Just Party ($5.50 equal betting favourite), with Zeitung ($12) running a solid third.

Snowden said Media World was close to being gelded after a mixed campaign but praised Yulong’s decision to keep the colt intact.

“We were very tempted to geld him but Yulong wanted to give me one more chance with him as a colt and I’m glad they did,” Snowden said.

“Already it has paid dividends. He’s won a Group race here today and I hope he can go on further and go to Brisbane and do something else.”

The colt also won the Clarendon Stakes on the same card last year and is now being aimed at the Fred Best Classic at Eagle Farm, potentially earning a berth in the Stradbroke Handicap.

“I will take him to Brisbane for the Fred Best (Classic) next,” Snowden said.

“I’m hoping he could emerge as a Stradbroke Handicap horse. He’s heading in the right direction, that’s for sure.”

Snowden’s prior winners of the Hawkesbury Guineas include Free Wheeling (2012), Limes (2013), Military Zone (2019), and Exoboom (2021).

It was a first Hawkesbury Guineas success for Schiller, who praised the colt’s tenacity in the closing stages.

“The middle stages was his crucial winning point,” Schiller said.

“He relaxed lovely and just gave me that little bit of a breather. Once he did quicken from the top of the straight, although the challengers were there he always felt like he was toughing it out but when it counted he was in front on the line.”

“He is going to improve into his prep again but really honest horse and great win today.”