BARGAIN buy Smokenola is turning into a real money spinner for his new connections as the Shaun Snudden-trained gelding made it four wins on the trot at Wagga on Friday.
After being purchased for bowling friends of Snudden’s for $2000, Smokenola has had five starts for four wins and almost $14,000 in prize money.
To make it more impressive each of his wins have come from poor draws after the son of Courage Under Fire was placed outside the mobile draw following a bad debut for the Snudden stable at West Wyalong on April.
The Narrandera trainer has been surprised by the four-year-old after wins at Cobram, Cootamundra twice and Wagga.
“I didn’t expect him to do what he’s been doing,” Snudden said. “I think after we raced the first time we realised he was pretty good – he galloped three times but was still thereabouts.”
Snudden hasn’t set out a plan, but isn’t getting too far ahead of himself after some clever scheduling some Smokenola win three C0s.
Going back into the draw will be a plus after Snudden declined the chance heading into the second run at Cootamundra when he won a $9000 C0 final.
A difficult horse to drive, Snudden is still trying to make him more tractable.
“He’s a funny horse as he has some steering issues although he doesn’t like burrs so you have to work around him,” he said.
