Peter and Paul Snowden will attempt to rewrite the record books on Saturday with a method that champion trainer Peter describes as "unconventional".
The Snowdens are running their Group I-winning colt Invader against the older horses in the Group III Show County Quality (1200m) and no three-year-old has won the race in its 25-year history.
The quality handicap is a race that has become a Group I launching pad in recent years with four of the past five winners – Moment Of Change (2012), Rebel Dane (2013), Terravista (2014) and Tycoon Tara (2016) - becoming Group I victors in the 12 months following.
"It's unconventional but he's got a high rating and I thought the San Domenico would be too short," Peter Snowden said. "I felt he wouldn't have been as competitive over 1100m.
Invader won the Group I ATC Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) during the autumn and is on a Golden Rose path, a race Peter Snowden has won three times previously and the astute Randwick conditioner says his son of Snitzel is primed for a big campaign.
"I'm really happy with how he's come back, he's excellent," Snowden said. "Happy with his trials, his work was very good this morning.
"On Saturday, he'll have no weight on his back.
"This sort of race with the weight advantage over 1200m - he will be competitive, he'll run a race.
"After Saturday he'll go to the Run To The Rose then onto the Golden Rose and from there we'll decide our next step and if he goes to Melbourne for a race like the Caulfield Guineas."
Invader is a $6.50 chance in Sportsbet's all-in market for the Show County Quality behind the $3.50 favourite Omei Sword.
