Peter Snowden believes the best is still ahead of well-related stakeswinning mare Shannara, who is set to kick off her autumn campaign at Newcastle on Wednesday.A full-sister to 11-time Group One winner Lonhro, Shannara is being aimed at the Group Two Emancipation Stakes later in the carnival and makes her return in the Group Three Newcastle Newmarket (1400m).Shannara has already won twice at stakes level in the Listed Dark Jewel Classic at Scone and Listed Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury but Snowd
Peter Snowden believes the best is still ahead of well-related stakeswinning mare Shannara, who is set to kick off her autumn campaign at Newcastle on Wednesday.
A full-sister to 11-time Group One winner Lonhro, Shannara is being aimed at the Group Two Emancipation Stakes later in the carnival and makes her return in the Group Three Newcastle Newmarket (1400m).
Shannara has already won twice at stakes level in the Listed Dark Jewel Classic at Scone and Listed Ladies Day Cup at Hawkesbury but Snowden believes the five-year-old can continue to get better.
"She's coming up very well. The best she's been," Snowden said.
"She's much stronger than before and I'm very happy with the way she's done in her work. She's just a stronger mare all over.
"She's only lightly-raced and I think the best is yet to come from her."
Snowden said the intention was to keep Shannara in work for another season in 2012/13 with the mare having only raced 16 times.
"She's got a good record," Snowden said.
"She always runs well but has always been a bit light and immature. As she gets older she's getting bigger and stronger and that's why I say I think the best is yet to come from her."
Newcastle was rated a dead (5) on Tuesday ahead of the feature Newmarket which has a field of 14.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Fast Clip is the TAB Sportsbet favourite at $4 ahead of Under The Eiffel ($4.80) and New Zealand galloper He's Remarkable ($5.50).
Shannara is at $9.50 with Darley's number one stable jockey Kerrin McEvoy to ride.
Somepin Anypin wasn't among the final acceptors for the race after trainer Gary Portelli informed stewards on Monday that the gelding trod on a nail on Sunday.
Portelli said the four-year-old had been treated for the injury and hadn't missed any fast work.
He is set to gallop on Wednesday morning ahead of Saturday's Group Two Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill.