Miss Hellfire might not be the best horse in the Peter and Paul Snowden stable, but the trainers would be happy to have a yard full of gallopers who try as hard.
The winner of two of her 17 starts, Miss Hellfire has filled the placings on another eight occasions and Paul Snowden says several of those could have easily been victories.
"I was talking to one of the owners about her record and she's got something like eight placings to her name, and three or four of those could have been wins if we just had the rub of the green at vital stages," Paul Snowden said.
"She is very honest and has been a good horse for the owners."
Miss Hellfire will line up in The Agency Real Estate Handicap (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday carrying topweight of 59kg.
Tyler Schiller has the job of finding the right run from barrier seven in the 12-horse field as the mare bids to end a sequence of minor placings stretching back to June, the latest a third to Luvoir at Warwick Farm when she endured a tough run throughout but kicked on doggedly to be beaten less than a length.
"It's vital for her to get into that right spot quickly," Snowden said.
"She was three-deep without cover her last run and gee she was so tough and strong and honest."
The team also has The Englishman in the Vale Mr Alan 'Jock' Gollogly Handicap (1800m), named in honour of the former jockey and popular Newcastle clocker who died earlier this week following a battle with illness.
Initially the second emergency, The Englishman has gained a start thanks to two early scratchings and Snowden expects a competitive performance from the last-start winner, despite his wide draw.
"He's a get back, run on type of horse so it's not the end of the world," Snowden said of the gate.
"He has had a little mid-prep freshen and he's very fresh and working great. If he does run, I think he can be effective late."
