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Snowland Wins G1 Galaxy
April 19, 2003 Lightning struck twice for Philippines-based billionaire Eduardo Cojuangco when gritty three-year-old Snowland won the $1 million The Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick. Cojuangco, through his international conglomerate San Miguel, heavily sponsors the $8 million Derby/Doncaster day. Snowland is raced by Cojuangco's Gooree Pastoral Company Syndicate managed by himself and Andrew Baddock who looks after Cojuangco's interests in Australia. "It's nice to win a race, especially a Group One," Cojuangco said after Snowland's win. "Particularly for this horse. "We had Don Eduardo last year and now Snowland. "I'm lucky," he added with a broad grin. The Cojuangco-owned Don Eduardo won last year's AJC Australian Derby. Snowland won his first Group One today and his ninth victory from 17 starts overall. The Snippets three-year-old colt was ridden by Chris Munce. "Chris Munce is the man of the moment," delighted trainer Gai Waterhouse said after Snowland defeated the speedster Star Of Florida by a long neck with Bradshaw a neck away third. "Chris has won on Bollinger, Shower Of Roses and Snowland. That's three Group Ones in a couple of weeks." Snowland has been syndicated to stand at Widden Stud in the New South Wales Hunter Valley. "If every horse in Australia had a heart as big as his (Snowland), racing would be all the better for it," Munce said. "He deserves a Group One win." Snowland cost $85,000 as a yearling at the Magic Millions. "He was in the top half a dozen as a two-year-old and then won three in a row as a three-year-old," Waterhouse said. "He had a bit of a setback after that last spring and we decided to spell him. "He's been a bit unlucky this time in but he had wet track form and I think that was a big advantage today." Last start Snowland finished runner-up to the flying Star Of Florida in the Group Two Challenge Stakes at Warwick Farm on April 6. Snowland was heavily supported late in betting from $6.50 into $3.90 favouritism. Waterhouse later added that Snowland would continue to race, with the $350,000 T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on May 3 a likely target. 2003 AAP
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