A carefully mapped out Spring program lays ahead for Gerald Ryan’s top class filly Snitzerland after the three year old won a barrier trial at Rosehill today.
Snitzerland's spring program will begin in the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes on August 18 - photo © Steven Dowden
The Snitzel filly showed she had plenty of ability in the Autumn which saw her run the triple crown champion Pierro to half a length when second in the in the Group 1 $3.5m AAMI Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on April 7.
Ryan was pleased with Snitzerland’s trial win over the Team Hawkes trained All Too Hard and will ultimately head to Melbourne for the Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 3.
“She trialled nicely. It was only a conditioning trial and she has pulled up okay,” Ryan said of his Spring hopeful.
“She will kick off in the San Dominico, then the Danehill and onto the Coolmore Stud Stakes.”
Ryan has selected the Group 3 $125,000 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill on August 18 as the starting point for Snitzerland’s Spring program before heading to Melbourne to prepare for the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Along the way the three year old is likely to contest the Group 2 $220,000 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 8 followed by the Group 3 $150,000 Gallagher Bassett Champagne Stakes (1200m) for three year old fillies at Moonee Valley on September 28.
And the $250,000 Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) for three year olds at Caulfield on October 13 will also be used as lead up to her final assignment at Flemington on Derby Day.
Ryan has had plenty of success with the progeny of Snitzel who was a top two year old of his year and went on to win the 2006 Group 1 $35,000 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield before being retired to stud.
And even though Snitzel produces good two year olds, Ryan doesn’t consider the stallion’s progeny are only speedy youngsters.
“I reckon Snitzel himself was getting better as he got older,” Ryan said.
“He was retired at three, but I would have loved to see him come back as a four-year-old. A lot of people have his progeny down as mad-running two-year-olds. I don’t believe they are.”
The Hawkes team will meet with owner Nathan Tinkler and confirm a Spring program for All Too Hard which is likely to include the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill on September 15 and the Group 1 $1m Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 13.
Today’s trial might be the only time that Snitzerland comes up against All Too Hard with the Hawkes’ trained three year old to follow a different three year old Spring path after the stable was pleased with the colts trial.
“We couldn’t have asked for anything more. It was a fair trial,” said Michael Hawkes, the Sydney representative of the Hawkes training team which comprises of brother Wayne and father John.
“They ran time, he looked to be doing it within himself so we’re looking forward to the preparation.”
“The early signs are he’s pulled up well. So far so good.”
All Too Hard hit the headlines even before he put a hoof on a racetrack when millionaire owner Nathan Tinkler paid $1.025m for Black Caviar’s half-brother at the 2011 William Inglis and Son Limited Australian Easter Yearling Sales.
The Casino Prince colt is well on the way to repaying Tinkler and his Patinack Farm operation after earning over $400,000 from three wins and a second from only four race starts.
All Too Hard looked top shelf in taking out the Group 2 $250,000 Henry Bucks Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on March 10 and the Group 2 $175,000 Bowermans Office Furniture Pago Pago Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 31.
But the Casino Prince colt couldn’t match it with Gai Waterhouse’s undefeated youngster Pierro, going down by almost two lengths when second in the Group 1 $500,000 Inglis Sires Produce Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on April 14.
