Trainer Ned Snow targets the Million Dollar Chase with Shipwreck
Decider-winning State of Origin trainer Ned Snow believes Shipwreck can eventually step up and be a competitive stayer after his classy victory in the $45,000 Match Race at Albion Park on Thursday night.
The two year-old was three-quarters of a length behind Zipping Kyrgios – who had the benefit of the one box – for most of the race.
But he found strength to pass John Finn's respected sprinter with $429,285 to his name late on the straight, prevailing in 29.69 seconds.
And this is why Snow believes Shipwreck could one day compete over 710m, like his siblings Oh Oh Range and Pocket Money.
“He (Shipwreck) did it tough, didn't he? Because he had to race on the outside of that dog,” Snow told Australian Racing Greyhound.
“He might turn out a good pup, that fella.
“His two brothers can run the distance. I know he will eventually, but I don't want to go up there because it's still too early with him.”
Before Snow makes that step up with Shipwreck, he will target the Million Dollar Chase on September 24.
“That's what I'd like to do. They have different country heats, so we'll have to pick out one,” he said.
And with the current form Shipwreck is in, Snow is confident he can progress through to the final at Wentworth Park.
“The week before when he won his race he went the best of the night (a blistering 29.56 seconds over 520m),” Snow said.
“That was when the Brisbane Cup and Queensland Cup was on.
“And he drew a bad alley in his heat of the Brisbane Cup and he ended up running second.
“I've got about 10 dogs in work at the moment. He definitely is (my best dog).”
Shipwreck winning the series-deciding Origin race on Thursday night and securing Queensland's first title since 2018 had the big Albion Park crowd in raptures.
“When he hit the front, I think even the NSW trainers were cheering,” said Snow, a proud Queenslander born west of Cairns in the small town of Herberton.
“It nearly brought the place down. We had a good crowd there and I've never heard the crowd roar like that.”
Meanwhile, Snow said Oh Oh Range would have a spell because he picked up an injury in the Origin Series Distance event over 710m, won by Days Of Thunder for Warren Nicholls.
“He split his webbing on his back foot. It's not bad, but it was enough to put him off, I think,” Snow said.
“He's going to have a couple of weeks off now and we'll get him right again.”
Snow was impressed with Frank Hurst's Good Odds Cash getting a win for NSW in the Origin Sprint over 520m, which levelled the series at 1-all, before Shipwreck's heroics in the decider.
“Frank said she's definitely going in (the Million Dollar Chase after saluting by almost six lengths in a time of 29.81 seconds),” Snow said.