Keith Dryden and Libby Snowden know how to win a Country Championships qualifier, with Sunchyme prevailing in the South East heat in 2025.
The result delivered the Canberra stable their first Country Championships runner, with the Zoustar mare going on to finish a credible seventh for Tommy Berry in the $1 million final at Royal Randwick in April.
On Sunday, Dryden and Snowden will set their sights on the 2026 Country Championships, starting two chances in the $150,000 South East qualifier at the Sapphire Coast Turf Club.
Last-start Canterbury winner, Everido (gate 2, $9), will be ridden by Alysha Collett, who coincidentally guided Sunchyme to victory in the 2025 heat, while Blaike McDougall is aboard Mighty Myrtle (gate 7, $21).
Both are four-time winners, and Dryden didn’t think there was much splitting the pair.
Everido boasts recent metropolitan form following a long break from racing, while Mighty Myrtle has qualified for the $700,000 Little Dance after a recent second in the Moruya Cup on January 5 before finishing fourth in the Bega Cup on February 1.
“I worked both horses together on Tuesday, and Everido had the edge on Mighty Myrtle, but there wasn’t a lot between them,” Dryden told Country Punter.
“The way they race, Everido will take up a forward position from the good draw, and Mighty Myrtle will possibly get back a bit.
“We had both of their blood counts done, and they are perfect, and we are really happy with the way they are going.”
While both Canberra gallopers are in the market, Dryden said it was another very strong South East heat, headlined by race favourite and recent Highway winner, Rose Aye (Amy McLucas, $2.60), from the Matthew Dale yard.
“It always appears to be the strongest qualifier, and there are six or seven horses that could win this year,” Dryden said.
“It is not an easy race, and it’s going to take a bit of luck for whoever wins.
“Frank Cleary’s horse (My Last Hooray) is drawn wide and will need some luck, but it won very well the other day.
“Matty Dale’s horse is the favourite, and Danielle Seib has some horses that will be around the mark.
“We’ll go there confident our horses are good to go, and that we can be competitive without thinking we are the ones to beat.”
Dryden and Snowden will start up to seven chances on the day, and there is confidence that recent Canberra placegetter Colorado Son can break through in the Country Boosted Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m).
“I think Colorado Son has been a bit unlucky,” Dryden said.
“We miss a class if he wins, but he will be suited by the mile, and drawing wide will suit him.
“Getting loaded later into the gates will help, as he gets a bit fidgety, and the plan will be to go forward.
“The horse that just beat him at Canberra (Listen Sweetheart) won really well yesterday at Wyong, and going forward, if luck works out, he is a nice horse and our best chance on Sunday.”
Words: Jrff Hanson
Image: Bradley Photos