$850,000 graduate wins Group 2 Todman
James Harron bought four colts – none of them cheap – from Arrowfield in 2016 and after Gunnison’s resolute win in Saturday’s $300,000 ATC Todman S. 1200m G2, he can take plenty of satisfaction from his work.
So far the results read: unbeaten Group 2 winner (the now-gelded Gunnison), Group 3 winner & Group 1 runner-up (Pariah), debut city winner (Dracarys) and Severence, fourth in both his starts.
All four are trained by Peter & Paul Snowden, as is the Todman runner-up Invader (Snitzel-Flame of Sydney) a $475,000 buy from Arrowfield’s Magic Millions draft by the China Horse Club.
Gunnison’s jockey Blake Shinn said after the Todman, “He travelled really nicely and handled the conditions well, which is really important here today.
“Invader challenged me at the 200 metres and it was a thrilling battle, especially going toe to toe with Joao [Moreira). My horse really dug deep and it was a great finish.”
Gunnison, the 37th stakeswinner for Not A Single Doubt and his all-time top-priced yearling at $850,000, was offered at Inglis Easter on behalf of breeder David Paradice, who raced Gunnison’s Group 2-winning dam Colorado Claire (by Hussonet).
Colorado Claire has a Snitzel filly in Arrowfield’s 48-lot consignment for this year’s edition of the Inglis Easter Sale.
Invader, a Snitzel half-brother to the fine Hong Kong sprinter Not Listenin’tome, was bred by Michael Pitt from Listed winner Flame of Sydney (by Encosta de Lago).
In all, Arrowfield’s Class of 2016 has already thrown up seven stakes performers: Gunnison, Pariah and Inglis Premier (R) LR winner Azazel; Group-placed Invader & Showtime (also 4th in the Todman); promising Queensland colt Snitzkraft (a stakes-placed city winner) and stakes-placed Bowerman.
Gunnison was followed at a rain-soaked Royal Randwick by a pair of new stakeswinners by Snitzel, 3YO filly Samantha and 5YO mare Elle Lou. In fact, almost a third of the black type spots on the card were filled by the progeny of Redoute’s Choice, Snitzel and Not A Single Doubt.
Snitzel remains on top of the Australian General, 3YO and 2YO Sires’ Premierships and the father-and-sons trio has collectively posted 34 stakeswinners worldwide this season.
