Craig Kerry May 15, 2026 — 5:00pm Hometown champion Peter Snowden expects veteran King Of Sparta to show he still has a “zest for racing” in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone on Saturday when he makes his comeback from serious illness, 18 months after his most recent run. Snowden, born and raised in Scone, will take a strong team to the annual standalone program from his Randwick stables, and King Of Sparta shapes as his most intriguing runner. King Of Sparta wins the Expressway Stakes at Randwick in February 2024. Getty The two-time Magic Millions Snippets winner last raced in the Russell Balding Stakes in November 2024 before a six-month spell, two trials, then another 10 months on the sidelines. Snowden said a staph infection in a hind leg looked to have ended King Of Sparta’s career, but he has fought back and pleased him in three trials leading into the listed 1100m Ortensia.…