Sunday’s Caulfield meeting will be a homecoming of sorts for Paul Snowden when he saddles up Cluster in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Charity Cup.
Snowden was Melbourne foreman under Godolphin’s old Darley banner when his father Peter was at the helm of Sheikh Mohammed’s operation.
Peter and Paul Snowden are now an independent training partnership in Sydney, a family union which will chase its inaugural Group One success with Cluster.
The horse arrived in Melbourne on Friday morning, a few hours after Paul Snowden who was waiting at his former stomping ground to greet him.
“It is a little bit (of a homecoming),” Snowden said.
“It’s been about six months since I left down here so it’s good to get back here this morning and see everyone.”
Cluster has done the bulk of his racing in Sydney but he may just be a Melbourne horse at heart.
He made two appearances in the southern capital last spring, his best result at third in the Bill Stutt Stakes on the corresponding weekend 12 months ago.
The horse handles racing in both directions but Paul Snowden says his natural gait is to lead with his right leg.
“Honestly, he goes around in Sydney on his Melbourne leg all the time. It’s his most favoured leg,” Snowden said.
“He had a trot and canter here this morning and he never left his right leg.”
In a race laden with talent, weight-for-age performer Dissident shares favouritism with Sweet Idea at $6, ahead of the in-form Trust In A Gust at $7 and Cluster at $7.50.
Snowden’s biggest fear is Cluster’s outside barrier in the 14-horse field, a tough task from the 1400-metre start at Caulfield.
“It’s not easy, let me tell you,” Snowden said.
“But this type of race always seems to generate decent speed from the 1400 start. Horses drawn out wide have got to try to find a spot if they’re on-speed and that’s what we’re banking on.
“Hopefully a few will push forward and the pace will be genuine so this horse can get home.”
Cluster has ascended the grades in his four runs for the Snowdens, culminating in a brilliant Theo Marks Stakes performance last start when he came from the back of the field to score.
