Snitzel filly makes stakes-winning debut
2YO filly Modern Wonder surprised everyone, includng her trainers, with her easy debut victory at double-figure odds in Saturday’s $100,000 SAJC Dequetteville S. 1050m LR.
Modern Wonder jumped well and settled comfortably just behind the early leader and second favourite Moshki, who led the field into the straight.
As the pressure came on, it was clear that Modern Wonder was travelling better than all her rivals. Jockey Stephen Baster’s urging was met with an instant response and she powered home to score by two lengths from Motown Lil and Neapolitan.
Watch Modern Wonder’s SAJC Dequetteville S. LR win.
Modern Wonder is the 38th stakeswinner for Snitzel and the 18th to score in stakes company at two. Snitzel leads the Australian 2YO Sires’ table by winners (14) and wins (19) and has added six new stakeswinners to his record since New Year’s Day, including dual Hong Kong Group 1 winner Sun Jewellery.
Troy Corstens, who prepares the filly in partnership with his father Leon, admitted, “I didn’t expect her to win like that. Everything she’s done she’s shown that she’s above average. I think she might be a bit of a freak, actually.
“I always said she’d only have one run and then go to the paddock, but we’ll wait and see how she comes through it and what’s around.”
Closer analysis of the race confirm the brightness of Modern Wonder’s prospects. She returned fast closing sectional times of 56.86 for her last 1000 metres, 44.02 (last 800m), 33.53 (last 600m), and posted 22.81 for her last 200 metres.
Modern Wonder hails from the celebrated South Australian farm, Mill Park Stud which bred her with the Mill Thoroughbred Breeding Partnership and sold her for $175,000 to Malua Racing & Bahen Bloodstock at the 2015 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale. China Horse Club paid $420,000 for her full sister at this year’s Magic Millions Sale.
The fillies’ dam, Elusive Wonder (by Elusive Quality) was also a smart 2YO, winning on debut and finishing third in a Listed Race at her second start. Other recent members of this family, which descends from 1926 French Oaks winner Dorina, include Adelaide stakeswinner Liberty Rose and her son, the stakes-winning Perth sprinter Grand Jardin, by Snitzel’s sire Redoute’s Choice.
Modern Wonder is the sixth stakeswinner by Snitzel out of a mare by a grandson of Mr. Prospector, a group that includes Arrowfield graduates Sweet Idea and Oakleigh Girl.
