In The Congo (top) left no excuses for his rivals, leading all the way in the San Domenico S. G3 at Kembla Grange; while Bruckner (bottom) held out Artorius & Heresy in the HDF McNeil S. G3 at Caulfield. (PHOTOS: Sportpix & Bronwen Healy)

Bruckner & In The Congo star for Snitzel

Champion Sire Snitzel made his presence felt in no uncertain terms on Saturday when his 3YO sons Bruckner and In The Congo produced a quickfire Group race double at Caulfield and Kembla Grange, which hosted the Sydney metro meeting transferred from Rosehill. 

Both colts have benefited from educational juvenile seasons to put themselves squarely in the frame for major 3YO sprinting honours this Spring.

Bruckner stepped up from his maiden win on 1 August to sprint when it counted in the $200,000 MRC H.D.F. McNeil S. 1200m G3 and hold off the fast-finishing Blue Diamond G1 winner Artorius and Group 3 winner Heresy.

Bruckner has loads of ability, what a performance! ⭐

How about the run of Artorius… 👀@cmaherracing @MelbRacingClub pic.twitter.com/JxtiXuR8km

— Racing.com (@Racing) August 28, 2021

Bruckner’s co-trainer Ciaron Maher said, “I think he was still fairly keen today so maybe he heads towards a Coolmore. Still a bit more water to go under the bridge and he’s still furnishing.”

Adrian Bott expressed similar thoughts about In The Congo after the chestnut defied the Rosebud winner Paulele, and two of last season’s best 2YOs, Stay Inside & Captivant to take out the $160,000 ATC San Domenico S. 1100m G3.
 
“Certainly he’s a real out-and-out speed horse I feel, he may stay up here for a race like the Roman Consul with eventually the Coolmore being the ultimate aim.”

In The Congo won his 2YO debut and then placed during the winter in Sydney before a brief let-up, returning to split Paulele and Remarque  in The Rosebud LR on 7 August.

IN THE CONGO goes all the way to win the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes from Paulele.@GaiWaterhouse1 @clarkyhk pic.twitter.com/rn1V1PIFC1

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 28, 2021

Bruckner was bred by leading Western Australian farm Oakland Park Stud and purchased by Aquis Farm & Ciaron Maher from Blue Gum Farm at Inglis Melbourne Premier for a sale-topping $725,000. 

He is the first foal of the city winner Jestajingle (by Lonhro) and is a three-quarter brother to another Snitzel Group winner, Jukebox, now standing at Aquis Farm.  Bruckner is the second stakeswinner, after Wayupinthesky, from only five runners bred on the Snitzel/Lonhro cross.

Derek Brugman’s Nordic Racing & Breeding bred In The Congo from Champion South African Sprinter & three-time Group 1 winner Via Africa (by Storm Cat’s grandson Var), who is due to foal to The Autumn Sun this Spring.  Offered at Inglis Easter by Newhaven Park Stud, In The Congo was a $350,000 buy for China Horse Club & Newgate Bloodstock. 

Bruckner and In The Congo take Snitzel’s tally of stakeswinners to 112 with five on the board from his 2018 crop, after New Zealand Group 1 2YO winner Sword Of State, Group 2-winning filly Four Moves Ahead and Listed winner Royalzel (also successful at Kembla Grange on Saturday).

Snitzel has already raced past the $1 million mark to hold second spot on the early-season Australian General Sires’ premiership, just behind Flying Spur’s grandson All Too Hard.