Sheeza Belter prevails in the JJ Atkins
Talk to anyone in the Peter and Paul Snowden stable about how good a Queensland Carnival campaign they’ve had, and they’ll be quick to deflect praise.
They’ll mention Justin Warwick’s astute judgment in sending over Sheeza Belter from Perth, or her supportive owners who travelled over to support their fast-emerging filly.
But you cannot dismiss the Snowdens’ nous and wealth of experience after the two-year-old’s half-length victory in the $1 million JJ Atkins (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Star jockey Willie Pike got her firing on the straight to prevail over Chris Waller’s respected colt, Political Debate.
2022 JJ Atkins Replay
Saturday’s Group 1 win backed up Sheeza Belter’s success in the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes on May 28.
“All the hard work culminates into days like today. It’s very special,” Paul Snowden told Sky Racing after his stable registered its third Group 1 win of the Queensland Carnival.
“Justin Warwick called us out of the blue and said ‘this filly has just won the Magic Millions over here and we think she’s pretty good – I want you to take her’.
“He’s here today, which is great. Full credit to him – we’re just the benefactors.
“She’s always been tough and resilient at home across her work. Everything about her suggests she’s going to get to that really good level.”
So tough, in fact, the Snowdens’ racing and bloodstock manager Colum McCullagh said this about her when horsebetting.com.au asked him about the $4.20 starter pre-race:
“She came over and she was in great order. Unfortunately, she couldn’t be flown over given it was during COVID,” McCullagh said.
“So she travelled on a truck. It was a very long trip for her. And I think it just showed her mental toughness, which she’s shown the whole way through.
“When she came to us in Sydney for the Autumn Carnival she struck a lot of wet tracks, but we kept her ticking over.
“And now that she’s back on a dry deck she’s performing to her best.”
Snowden said Sheeza Belter would now enjoy a well-earned spell, and you would expect her star to continue rising later this year.
And again, he paid credit to her owners.
“That’ll be it for the meantime. We’ll give her a break on Monday, but she’s got a really good spring ahead of her now,” he said.
“Well done to the owners.”