A Kiwi galloper claimed last Saturday's Melbourne feature race but Murray Baker isn't expecting a similar result with Australian Derby winner Jon Snow in Saturday's Group I Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m).
Baker and training partner Andrew Forsman produced Bonneval for an impressive first-up win in the Group II Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) at Moonee Valley and Jon Snow will step out over the same trip at Flemington.
Jon Snow raced near the speed before finishing three lengths from Vega Magic in a promising first-up performance in the Memsie Stakes (1400m) on September 2 but Baker told the NZ Racing Desk the son of Iffraaj could have finished closer than his sixth placing.
"He would have taken improvement from his run the other day He went very well and if he hadn't been tightened, he might have run fourth," Baker said.
Baker noted Jon Snow takes on a smart field, including Godolphin's outstanding galloper Hartnell, in the Makybe Diva Stakes but the $750,000 event is a key part of the four-year-old's build-up to the big spring cups.
"We're happy with him but it's a very strong field and for him it's another step on his pathway to the Cups," Baker said.
"I wouldn't say he would be winning this, but it is a race that fits in with his programme. You've got to be running them every two weeks to get them fit.
"We'll decide after this race what he does next, but possibly it's the Underwood Stakes over 1800m."
Stephen Baster sticks with Jon Snow in the Makybe Diva Stakes in which the gelding has drawn barrier three.
Sportsbet has Jon Snow an $18 chance in its Maybe Diva Stakes market in which Hartnell is the dominant $1.75 favourite while consistent weight-for-age performer Black Heart Bart is a $6 chance.
