Snitzify salutes at Hawkesbury
SNITZIFY proved too classy for his rivals at Hawkesbury on Thursday, handling the step up in trip with aplomb to land the Colts, Geldings & Entires Class 1 Handicap (1400m) in good style.
The son of Snitzel broke well under Nick Heywood and settled in an ideal position, one off one back on the heels of the leader.
He travelled strongly throughout and hit the front early in the straight, before pricking his ears and repelling all challengers to score handsomely by half a length.
Snitzify had no problems on his first attempt at the trip and was strong to the line in the 1400m contest, which should open a few more doors as he steps up in class later this preparation.
“It was good to see him win like that,” winning co-trainer Peter Snowden said. “It looked like he was always going to win, it just took forever for him to put them away. He just seemed to be waiting for them!
“His ears were pricked, he was looking at the grandstand and looking everywhere bar the winning post. But I always felt confident he was going to win.
“I don’t think seven furlongs is a problem and that’s definitely the right way to go with him. I thought he got through the testing conditions pretty well and I wouldn’t be frightened of running him on a heavy track again.
“He seems to be a very honest, genuine horse and hopefully he can go on and win a few more from here.”
Congratulations to Snowden Racing, his strapper Drew and to all his owners: Essjaydee (Mgr: S C Jamieson), B D Playford, V P Chau, Mrs C A Kelly, Mrs P Di Marco, J H Hezlett, J N Allen, Dr A Kuok, R Bates, J W Medland, S McMurray, Dr O K Chan, G F Radloff, K Bissett & Triple Crown Syndications (Mgr: C H Ward).
Snitzify and his strapper Drew Rogers
Sedona on the scoresheet at Scone
SEDONA overcame the widest barrier in a capacity field when running out a ready winner of the Class 1 Handicap (1100m) at Scone this afternoon.
Ridden superbly by Christian Reith, the son of Bel Esprit showed an impressive turn of foot in the straight to score by a long neck, recording his second career victory in the process.
It was a well-executed plan from Peter & Paul Snowden, who earmarked this race as a perfect option for Sedona a number of weeks ago.
“That was a good win as the alley certainly looked ordinary on paper,” a delighted Peter Snowden said. “But Scone is a forgiving track for wide gates because it’s only one turn, and he had a perfect run from that gate.
“He sat behind the leaders, quickened nicely and once again got the front too soon. He dashes two in front then sort of thinks the job is done, but when he came back to the second horse he picked up once he saw him out of the corner of his eye, and actually on the line he’s starting to go away again.
“I think these are the sort of races he likes – fast run races where he can sit off and launch at them, so we’ll stick to these short, sprint courses and ride him accordingly.
“He ran a good time and I thought there was plenty of merit in that win, so well done to everyone involved.”
Congratulations to Snowden Racing, his strapper and all his owners on a terrific win!
Triple Crown prepare stakes race assault
As Australia’s Leading Syndicator of Group race wins since 2010, excitement is again building at Triple Crown as the team prepare to target a host of stakes races for their owners over the coming days.
Unfortunately the ‘barrier gods’ have been very unkind this weekend to the team in red but it is a big thrill for our owners to have horses deserving of competing at the elite level which is stakes racing. All of these horses are good enough to make their presence felt but will obviously need a little luck in the running from those tricky gates.
First up will be MILITARY ZONE, who lines up in the Listed Scone Cup (1600m) on Friday. Christian Reith is booked to ride the dual Group 3 winner, who impressed in winning a maintenance trial at Randwick last week. A strong performance here will likely see him head north for a shot at the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap a few weeks later.
Military Zone will be joined on Friday’s Scone card by SEDONA, who comes back in trip to 1100m for the Class 1 Handicap.
Frustratingly, neither horse has been done any favours by the draw, with Military Zone handed barrier 12 and Sedona even wider in barrier 19. Hopefully some horses drawn inside of them come out between now and race time!
Military Zone winning the Group 3 Hawkesbury Guineas
On to Saturday at Rosehill where, unfortunately, the barrier gods have been equally as unkind to our team heading out to Sydney’s west.
BRAVE SONG has drawn 10 of 11 for the Listed Luskin Star Stakes (1300m), a race in which he finished second to subsequent Group 1 winner Trekking last year.
We know he appreciates getting to the outside where he can let down strongly, so fingers crossed James McDonald can use the wide barrier to his advantage and go one better than 12 months ago.
MOSS TRIP is perhaps the only one to escape with a favourable draw, after she was handed barrier 5 in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m).
She’s third up going into this assignment and should be peaking fitness wise, so with a bit of luck we’re hopeful she can show that devastating turn of foot and give this a shake.
Elsewhere on the card, the ultra-tough MILITARY MAGIC will have her first crack at black-type in what looks a fiercely competitive renewal of the Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m).
This progressive daughter of Epaulette has taken great improvement from her first-up run at Warwick Farm, the only time she has tasted defeat in four starts, and is bound to deliver her trademark gutsy performance.
Best of luck to all our owners in each horse and let’s hope we can come away from the weekend with some stakes race success!
Military Magic bringing up the hat-trick at Canterbury
Missile Magic pulls the rabbit out of the hat
The mercurial MISSILE MAGIC proved a cut above his rivals in a commanding victory at Hawkesbury on Tuesday.
Having pulled a new trick out of the hat when veering markedly left at his last start, the son of Smart Missile went straight as an arrow this time around, quickening smartly in the straight to score by two lengths in convincing fashion.
Missile Magic broke well and settled just worse than midfield under Adrian Layt, who asked the three-year-old to improve his position rounding the home turn. He responded generously, showing a smart turn of foot at the 400-metre mark before galloping through the line strongly for a soft win.
Winning rider Adrian Layt said: “That was much improved. He popped his head down, began well, came back under me and then finished off really good.
“It’s hard to say if you want to go any further with him because he seemed to be better at the 1100 where he had his head, no one annoyed him and he just did his thing and ran away.
“Coming back in trip has really helped him and he was a lot better behaved today too. He wasn’t as stirry as he was the other day and hopefully he’s on the right track now.”
A delighted Peter Snowden added: “It was good to see him put his head down and finally do the right thing today.He did everything perfectly all day and it makes a difference when all the ducks line up!
“He’s starting to come the right way and if he keeps doing what he did today he’s going to go a fair bit further.
“It was a good class Maiden there today and he didn’t just win, he beat them comfortably.
“I’m so so pleased for all the owners and it was great to see him do that today.”
Congratulations to Adrian, Snowden Racing and all his owners on a superb win. Hopefully the first of many!
The Champ retires
It is with great emotion, both joyful and sad, that we announce the retirement of REDZEL – the orphan-turned superstar who enabled us all to Live the Dream.
His ownership group have today voted to call time on his glittering race career, one which spanned five years, yielded an astonishing $16,444,000 in prize-money and, most importantly of all, ends with a healthy horse and fond memories at the highest level.
But it wasn’t always the jubilation and euphoria we have come to associate him with, for Redzel’s story is one which began with heartbreak.
His dam Millrich, a Group winner and Golden Slipper placegetter in her own right, died just a few weeks after he was born, leaving the team at Eliza Park Stud with no option but to pair Redzel with a foster mare. Said foster mare was the aptly named Regal Arena, perhaps the earliest premonition that he would later call Royal Randwick his home.
Having already been through the sale ring as a weanling, the son of Snitzel was acquired by Triple Crown Syndications’ Chris and Michael Ward for $120,000 at the 2014 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. The rest, as they say, is history.
Redzel began his career in the care of Gerald Ryan, breaking his maiden at the first time of asking before finishing third in the Group 3 Kindergarten on his second and final outing as a two-year-old.
Moved to Peter & Paul Snowden at the end of his juvenile season, Redzel recorded a number of stakes victories for his new trainers, though it wasn’t until late in his four-year-old year that he made his presence felt at the highest level.
Beaten a nostril in The Galaxy, Redzel – or ‘Richie’ as he has come to be known by those closest to him – landed the Group 3 Hall Mark on his next start, a victory that kickstarted a remarkable sequence of six consecutive wins and culminated in his coronation as Australia’s Champion Sprinter of 2018.
That sextet of victories included the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, the first of his three Concorde Stakes wins and the Group 1 Darley Classic, but it was another race, a new addition to the calendar that ultimately propelled Richie to newfound heights.
On October 14th 2017, Redzel etched his name into the history books as the first horse to win The Everest – the world’s richest turf race.
On October 13th 2018, he returned to the scene of his greatest triumph – his own back yard – and repeated the feat, etching his name further into the history books as a dual-winner of the world’s richest turf race.
As is customary in any walk of life, advancing years are inevitable and present an array of physical challenges. Arthritic issues forced a brief blip in form, but given the appropriate treatment and ample time to recover, Redzel signalled his return to the top table with a third successive Concorde Stakes victory in 2019 – perhaps the greatest testament to the masterful way in which his career has been handled by Peter & Paul Snowden.
Although an Everest three-peat proved to be a bridge too far, Redzel returned this preparation with three further placings, two of which came at Group 1 level. The most recent of those came when a gutsy third in a vintage renewal of the T J Smith Stakes, where he was again ridden to perfection by Kerrin McEvoy – another pivotal figure in the Redzel story.
That performance, at the grand old age of seven, transpired to be his swansong, and a befitting one at that. It encompassed everything we know and love about Richie – guts, determination and an incredible zest for racing.
He retires a dual winner of The Everest, a race that is now widely regarded as the world’s premier sprint contest. He also retires as a dual Group 1 winner, a Champion Sprinter and the second highest prize-money earner in the history of Australian racing.
His ownership group has now collectively decided to put the horse first to ensure he retires a happy and healthy horse after such a magnificent race career.
To those who bought him as a yearling, he is “the dream horse, beautifully natured and a true champion”. To those who trained him he is “the most genuine horse who we’re lucky to have had”. To Australian Racing, he will forever be remembered as the King of the Mountain.
Happy retirement champ.
Bruce and Ranges make it a 48 hours to remember!
BIG BAD BRUCE made it two wins in as many days for the Triple Crown team with a last gasp victory at Newcastle on Tuesday.
The son of Not A Single Doubt came from the clouds under a superb Rory Hutchings ride to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat, having been near enough last as the field straightened up for home.
Big Bad Bruce has been a model of consistency since joining Joe Pride, placing in all seven starts, while yesterday’s victory marked his second in the care of the Warwick Farm trainer.
“He’s always shown glimpses of his ability, but I thought today was the best performance of his career,” Pride said.
“He’s now won a couple for us and all his other performances have been honest, so he’s a horse paying his way.
“The Autumn Carnival is winding up now so it’s the right time of year to bring him to town for a midweek race, and even he can run a mile that will add another strong to his bow.
“There’s a little term I like to use in racing and it’s ‘pay the believers’ – that’s us today. We’ve come a long way with this horse and now hopefully he’s going to reward us.
“He was terrific today and I’m really proud of him.”
Bruce’s success came just 24 hours after RANGES broke through for a well-deserved win at Muswellbrook, where he proved a touch too classy for his opposition and won with an air of authority.
The son of Shooting To Win travelled in the ideal position, with Jeff Penza electing to sit just off the pace set by the eventual runner-up Tough Case. Ranges then let down strongly in the straight, seeing out the 1280m trip with aplomb to score by just over a length.
A delighted winning co-trainer Peter Snowden said: “It took a fair bit longer to win a race with him than I thought it would, but that’s a start in the right direction and hopefully he can go on from here.
“That wasn’t his preferred ground, he’s definitely better on top of the ground, but he got through it OK and had a bit on them, so he was able to win nicely.
“Let’s hope it’s the start of many more to come.”
Don’t underestimate Redzel in TJ Smith
Co-trainer Paul Snowden has warned not to underestimate two-time The Everest winner Redzel when he lines up in Saturday’s Group I TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick.
Redzel is a winner of 15 of his 38 starts with career earnings of $16.3 million, boosted by his two victories in The Everest – the world’s richest sprint race.
The son of Snitzel sits on top of the prizemoney list and amazingly the field of 13 sprinters that are set to face the starter in the TJ Smith have won over $52 million in career earnings collectively.
Nature Strip heads the betting on Sportsbet at $3.50 ahead of Bivouac $5, Santa Ana Lane $6 and Loving Gaby $7.
Pierata is the only other runner in single figures at $9 while Redzel is unwanted at $18.
“He can start whatever price they want. It won’t affect his chances,” Paul Snowden said.
“He will do what he always does. He will begin, race handy and give everything he has in the home straight.
“I think he’s won about 9 times here at Randwick so he knows the track well. The others will know he is there I promise you that.
“He has never let us down, and he’s shown no reason why he won’t run a good race again this weekend.”
Snowden added that he ‘couldn’t be happier’ with Redzel heading into the $1.25 million feature.
“He’s seven now, so you’d probably think he will hit his peak after a run or two into his preparation. His first two runs have been incredible this time in,” he said.
“He was gunned in the final stride or two in the Group I Black Caviar (Lightning) before having little luck here behind Nature Strip. He wouldn’t have beaten Nature Strip last start but he should have finished closer and he is the benchmark for Saturday’s race.”
Nature Strip has drawn barrier one and is expected to lead and with Redzel drawn in gate three Snowden indicated he won’t be letting the favourite get too far in front at any stage.
“He looks a far more complicated horse than he actually is,” trainer Chris Waller said of Nature Strip during the week.
“James gets on really well with him and we couldn’t be happier with him heading into the weekend.”
By Richard Callander – Racenet
McEvoy warns Redzel is back to his best for TJ Smith assault
There will only be one real surprise when the TJ Smith field rockets from the barriers on Saturday. Dual Everest winner Redzel will be in the firing line again, but the shock is he will be considered an outsider.
There will be plenty of familiarity as Australia’s best sprinters meet; even with the golden generation of three-year-olds joining the fray, there will be a pattern to Saturday’s race.
Champion jockey Kerrin McEvoy is confident his partner in these races for the past three years can still match it with the best, even though the market is starting to lose faith in Redzel.
“You used to keep an eye on Nature Strip to see if he would come out, but he does that these days, so everyone knows where they are going to be,” McEvoy said.
“They have met so many times now that we all know what to expect and what we need to do to be successful. For Redzel, he looks like he will get the sort of track he likes and I think he is looking for the 1200m after a couple of good seconds at the 1000m.
“Even though he hasn’t won this time in he is going as well as ever and I think he can run a big race on Saturday.”
Redzel has been runner-up in the Lightning Stakes and the Challenge Stakes, where Nature Strip was supreme in a show of controlled speed. It might not be like that on Saturday with more pressure likely to come from Vegadaze and White Moss, which are newcomers to group 1 sprinting.
“I think we’ll get a good run [behind them],” McEvoy said. “Redzel was good late in the Challenge after we had some trouble getting clear at the top of the straight. He finished it off well.
“He is getting on [in years], but he feels good and he is going better now than 12 months ago.”
It will be Redzel’s third TJ Smith. He finished a weakening sixth behind Santa Ana Lane last year, but his 2020 form has mirrored that of two years ago when he was runner-up to Trapeze Artist.
He was runner-up in the Lightning Stakes and Challenge Stakes in 2018 and the market might be underestimating the grand old sprinter.
Bookies have Nature Strip as a $3.60 favourite with Bivouac, Santa Ana Lane, Loving Gaby and Pierata all under the $10 mark. Redzel is $18, which is a good price for a three-time winner over the Randwick 1200m.
By Chris Roots, Sydney Morning Herald
Another impressive winner for Press Statement!
Exciting first-crop stallion PRESS STATEMENT sired his third winner on Saturday courtesy of Major Murphy’s fast-finishing victory at Wyong.
The Vinery Stud homebred came with a wet sail inside the final 200 metres to win the 2YO Maiden Plate (1200m) in impressive fashion, surging clear of his rivals through the line in the manner of an exciting prospect.
In what was a fantastic result for Press Statement, the son of Hinchinbrook also sired the third home, O’Tartan Lass, whose effort showed more than enough promise to suggest that she’ll be in the winner’s enclosure sooner rather than later.
Despite having significantly fewer runners that some of those above him, Press Statement now sits joint third on the Leading First Season Sire standings by winners, with his successful trio spearheaded by metropolitan winner Spokesman.
All of the above bodes well for our 2YO Press Statement colt Dashing Statement, who pleased Peter & Paul Snowden in his first official trial at Randwick recently.
It is also another positive for our recently acquired Press Statement x Sognani filly, who is undoubtedly the bargain of the Inglis Classic Sale.
A limited number of shares are available in this beautiful moving filly, who hails from the same family as multiple Group 1 winners Lucia Valentina and Danzdanzdance!
Hear from Michael Ward below on which Group 1 race we have already earmarked for this well-bred individual.
For more information on this exciting prospect, please get in touch with our team by clicking here.
Another Saturday another major winner for gun sire Rubick
For the second weekend in succession the progeny of Rubick landed a major race in Victoria, with exciting three-year-old Excess Funds taking out the lucrative $500,000 Inglis Dash at Caulfield on Saturday.
Ridden to perfection by champion jockey Hugh Bowman, Excess Funds made it two wins from three starts this preparation with a dominant length and a quarter victory in the feature sprint.
His success follows hot on the heels of another major win for gun sire Rubick, whose hugely progressive daughter Rubisaki produced an emphatic performance to win the Group 2 Kewney Stakes at Flemington last weekend.
Statistics published by the Australian Stud Book revealed that Rubick was once again the most popular sire in Australia during the most recent covering season – the second consecutive year he has received the most support from Australian breeders in spite of a rise in his covering fee.
That is hardly surprising given all of the above, not to mention that he has already produced a prospective stallion of his own in the shape of $14 million The Everest winner Yes Yes Yes.
What’s more, Rubick’s lead in the second-season sire standings now exceeds $6 million, despite having nearly 30 fewer runners than his nearest pursuer Deep Field.
This all makes us incredibly excited for the future of our Rubick colt out of the Tale Of The Cat mare Tale Of Fun, who like Excess Funds was purchased at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and is eligible for the lucrative $8 million Inglis Race Series.
A beautiful mover, this colt has the bloodlines to match his impressive physique, given he is a close relation to Group 1 Golden Slipper winner MOSSFUN!
With his precocious pedigree and early-running physique, this colt has every chance of emulating his sire, who was a Group winner as a two-year-old.
Shares are available in this outstanding prospect for $7,995 per 5% or $15,990 per 10% share, including all costs up to 1 May 2020.
As well as the Inglis Race Series, this beautifully-bred colt is already nominated for the Group 1 Golden Slipper and Group Golden Rose Stakes.
Now is the time to jump on the Rubick bandwagon before it’s too late!!!
