Stallions

Snitzel just misses Magic Millions double

Outstanding young sire Snitzel was two short necks away from a Magic Millions double after his 2YO daughter Sweet Idea and 3YO son Sizzling were gallant runners-up in today’s two feature races at the Gold Coast.

Pictured: Sweet Idea (left) fights hard as Real Surreal (white cap) pounces in the final stages of today’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic. (PHOTO: Sportpix)

In the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, Sweet Idea broke quickly from the gates and settled behind the early leader He’s A Ladies Man, before taking over in the straight. Victory was in her sights until Real Surreal – a stablemate of Sizzling – unleashed a powerful finish to claim the race in the final 50 metres.

Sweet Idea has won once and placed three times in four starts, and her prizemoney now stands at $415,500, 12 months after Gai Waterhouse & James Harron bought her for $240,000 from the Arrowfield Magic Millions draft.

A mid-race hold-up may have cost Sizzling victory in the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas 1400m (R) LR.

The handsome son of Snitzel settled back in the field as expected, but appeared to get on the heels of a runner in front of him, just as Craig Williams began to urge him forward. The delay was momentary, but given that Sizzling failed to catch the winner Saluter by only a short neck, it proved expensive.

Driefontein held on gamely for third after setting the pace.

Sizzling (from Admirelle by General Nediym) has won six of his 13 starts including the BRC T.J. Smith S. G1 as a 2YO. He has returned more than $1 million prizemoney for the $260,000 John Foote bid for him at the 2011 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.

Snitzel is the sire of 11 stakeswinners and his 15 lots sold in the first three seassons of this year’s Magic Millions Sale have averaged $192,000.