Stakes double opens Snitzel's season

Last season’s Sires’ Premiership runner-up Snitzel has already launched his challenge for this season’s title, with a valuable two-state stakes double.

His outstanding daughter Sweet Idea began her 4YO campaign with a stirring defeat of the talented Messene and five Group 1 winners in the $175,000 ATC Missile S. 1200m G2.

It’s the third Group 2 success and the first in open company for the Gai Waterhouse-trained mare whose records reflects her class and courage: six wins, 5 placings and more than $1.8 million prizemoney from 14 starts.

Stable representative Mark Newnham said,”She just doesn’t make any mistakes. She’s first out of the barriers, gets there, relaxes and fights like anything. You love horses like that.

“Every time a horse comes at her she just keeps putting her head out.”

Sweet Idea (ex Flidais by Timber Country) was purchased for $240,000 by Gai Waterhouse & James Harron from the Arrowfield draft at the 2012 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale. The stable also purchased her full sister from this year’s Magic Millions Sale. Flidais has a yearling filly by Snitzel and is due to foal again to him next month.

In Western Australia, another Arrowfield graduate, Smoko (ex London Lights by Bletchingly), blitzed his rivals in the $100,000 WATC Belmont Newmarket 1200m LR to become Snitzel’s 23rd stakeswinner.  The runner-up Dominating made it a stakes quinella for Snitzel.

After six brilliant wins from 7 starts, Smoko looks well and truly ready for an interstate trip. As co-trainer Clint Price said after today’s success, “He can match it with the best, there’s no doubt about that.”

Smoko, a $75,000 purchase by owners Frank & Josie Fiore, is the sixth stakeswinner from Arrowfield’s draft at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale. The others are Group 1 winner Snitzerland, Group 2 winners Flying Snitzel & Honorine, Champion Singapore 3YO Stepitup, and stakeswinner Road Trippin’.