A dandy Cup Day stakes double for Snitzel
Champion Sire Snitzel is enjoying one of his best-ever seasons on the track & in the sale-ring. (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)
A pair of Magic Millions graduates gave four-time Champion Sire Snitzel his 26th same-day stakes double and the 105th individual stakeswinner of his remarkable stud career.
First-up, in the last race on the Melbourne Cup Day card, was Godolphin’s very good 4YO mare Exhilarates who ended a frustrating 12 months with a spirited fight under pressure to win the $175,000 VRC MSS Security Sprint 1200m LR (registered as the Always Welcome Stakes).
Winner of the 2019 Magic Millions 2YO Classic RL , Exhilarates progressed to win at Group 3 and Listed level in Melbourne last Spring, before adding four black type placings between January and May. Her record now reads five wins, 7 placings and just over $2 million prizemoney from 18 starts.
A nice comeback from Exhilarates who puts in a stylish performance. pic.twitter.com/SyLujLB21n
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 3, 2020
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy said, “It was her first run down the straight. It was important to get the first half of the race right.
“She enjoyed a nice run today. James and the team had her in good nick and it was a gritty win because she had to burrow through and when I asked her for the full effort at the furlong, she gave it.
“She’s a competitive little girl and last start she didn’t get much cover and overdid it a little bit which she can do which she has done with me at times. Today it was nice to get a nice drop on them and save that finish.”
Exhilarates was bred by Greg Perry, Neil Werrett, Echo Beach Bloodstock, Hybrook Pastoral & Encompass International from the dual Group 1-wining Champion Female Sprinter Samaready (by More Than Ready).
She was Godolphin’s first Magic Millions Gold Coast purchase, bought for $600,000 from the Vinery Stud draft in 2018.
Samaready was bought in foal to Snitzel for $1.8 million by Coolmore’s Tom Magnier at this year’s Inglis Chairman’s Sale and has since delivered a full brother to Exhilarates.
Three hours after Exhilarates’ victory, 3YO filly Snickerdoodledandy completed Snitzel’s stakes double with a thrilling victory in the $100,000 Perth Racing Burgess Queen S. 1400m LR, wearing down her stablemate Kissonallforcheeks (by Written Tycoon) in the final strides.
Snickerdoodledandy arrives just in time as @MortonRacing go 1-2 in the @TAB_touch Burgess Queen Stakes…
READ – https://t.co/cxqtTJZ5uh
📸 @WesternRacepix pic.twitter.com/SSsPQL8SDA
— The Races WA (@theracesWA) November 3, 2020
Trainer Dan Morton said, “You know a fair way out you have got a couple of fillies that are well above average. You just hope everything goes to plan and get them into a nice race like that.
“It all worked out beautifully. There’s bigger races in store for them now, so they’re heading in the right direction.”
Both fillies will head towards the $200,000 W.A. Champion Fillies S. G3 over 1600 metres on 14 November.
Snickerdoodledandy was bred by the Monds family of Tyreel Stud, who have already celebrated major success this Spring, thanks to Group 1 winner Behemoth and Everest hero Classique Legend. Damon Gabbedy’s Belmont Bloodstock secured the filly for $280,000 on behalf of owners Sue & Alan Olive.
She is the first winner out of the fine middle-distance mare Crafty Irna (by Starcraft), prepared by Ron Quinton to win at Group 3 & Listed level in Sydney. Crafty Irna has a yearling colt by Snitzel.
Snitzel’s Australian season record now stands at six winners of 7 Group & Listed Races and progeny earnings of $3.6 million.
