The Peter and Paul Snowden trained Vancouver colt Armatree was an eye-catching fourth on debut at Randwick two weeks ago on the Kensington track and delivered on that potential when scoring easily at the same venue on Wednesday.
Ridden quietly at his first start when taken back to last before charging home, Armatree was ridden more forward this time by James McDonald after jumping well and always looked to have the race in his keeping.
Still green when off the bridle over the final furlong, Armatree was too good in scoring by three quarters of a length over 1100m as favourite and will take much improvement from the run.
“He’s a big strong customer and will appreciate further in time. After that last run, he certainly knew what it was about this time and had it won a long way out,” said Paul Snowden.
“He’s got some class and it will take him a long way.”
James McDonald was happy with Armatree and predicts there is much more to come.
“He quickened well and then got a bit lost with a furlong to go, he was really only going through his gears on the line,” said McDonald.
“I think he’s still a prep away and whatever he is doing now is a bonus.”
Armatree was retained to race by his breeder Lex Kingdom and is the third winner from Miss Occhilupo, a half-sister by Octagonal to stakes-placed Star of Flight from US stakes-winner Malibu Light (USA).
Armatree is the fifth first crop winner for Vancouver, who very nearly had a sixth earlier in the day at Doomben where Batanga’s Entry was a close second. The Kelly Schweida trained gelding has been very unlucky with three close seconds from four starts and is surely long overdue to break the ice!
Vancouver has had a fee reduction this year back to $30,250 at Coolmore and might prove a great punt when you consider the class of his five winners as they represent two Group placed horses in Postcode and Vangelic as well as three metropolitan winners.
