Racing: McEvoy, Snowden combine for Guineas win

Kerrin McEvoy. Photo / Getty Images

Leading jockey Kerrin McEvoy and trainer Peter Snowden combined to extend their recent domination of the group two Sandown Guineas on Saturday.

McEvoy rode the Snowden-trained Tatra ($5.50) to a long head win over the Bart Cummings-trained favourite Lunar Rise ($5) for the jockey and trainer's third win in the race since 2008.

Four years ago they won with Caymans and they snared the race the following year with Kidnapped.

Snowden narrowly missed the quinella this year with Proverb steaming home for third, only a short half-head behind Lunar Rise.

Both McEvoy and Snowden said Tatra was not an elite performer but praised his determination. "Lunar Rise was coming at me but my fellow just dug deep," McEvoy said.

"He's no world-beater but he's a good old grinder and gives his best.

"He's always shown nice promise and he's gotten stronger and better throughout his preparation last time and this time as well."

Snowden and McEvoy had a day out at Sandown after they earlier collected the listed Twilight Glow Stakes (1400m) with Meidung.

Meidung and Tatra are both owned by Sheikh Mohammed al Maktoum whose brother, Sheikh Hamdan al Maktoum, owns the winner of the opening race, Bulbula.

Snowden said Tatra and Proverb had been selected at the start of the Melbourne spring season and aimed at races within their reach.

Earlier on the programme, a good spring ended with more success for Lloyd Williams when Tanby added the race named after one of the owner's all-time favourite horses at Sandown on Saturday.

Tanby ($7.50) proved to be the strongest stayer in the Group Two Zipping Classic (2400), claiming a three-quarter length win that gave the Williams family its fifth win in the race in the past six years and their sixth in the past 10.

"If there's a race other than the Melbourne Cup that we wanted to win it's this one," said part-owner Nick Williams. "Zipping was Dad's favourite horse, it's a special win."

While Tanby is unlikely to reach the same level as his former stablemate, he will get his chance to improve on his record in the autumn.

"The Sydney Cup looks like the sort of race that'll suit him, so that's on the cards for now," Williams said.

- AAP