Gatsby’s makes a great start for Snitzel
Jockey James McDonald has time to check out Gatsby's winning margin at the end of The Rosebud LR. (PHOTO: Sportpix)
Champion Sire Snitzel makes a habit of fast season starts.
More often than not, he begins each season with at least one August stakeswinner.
And he’s done it again, with Aramco Racing’s colt Gatsby’s, the 5th Snitzel-sired winner of the $200,000 The Rosebud 1100m LR at Rosehill. Snitzel’s career tally of stakeswinners now stands at 146, including six from his 2021 crop.
Drawn widest of the 7-horse field, the chestnut colt jumped keenly but settled off the pace until soon after the turn when James McDonald urged him forward. Gatsby’s responded generously, took control 200 metres from home and powered clear to score by almost 2 lengths from the fast-finishing Clear Proof & High Octane.
That’s a MORE than great win to Gatsby’s in the Listed Rosebud today! 🌹@cwallerracing @mcacajamez pic.twitter.com/S3iCW0rMZ2
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 17, 2024
A winner on debut at Canterbury in February, Gatsby’s was sent to the spelling paddock after running 4th in the Pago Pago S. G3, a decision that reflects his trainer’s patience with juveniles, allowing them time to develop and strengthen, as Chris Waller explained.
“With the owners’ support, we backed off and didn’t get too caught up in the Carnival. We tested the water though, and it has made a man out of him. He has come back bigger, stronger and better. I think he’s primarily a sprinting three-year-old, but his biggest asset is that he relaxes well.”
Gatsby’s and his Group-winning full sister Letzbeglam are out of the US-bred mare Miss Charming (by Storm Cat’s son Forestry), a half-sister of Grade 1 winner Tout Charmant. All descend from Magic Night, who won the 1961 Golden Slipper, was subsequently sold to American owners and is also the fourth dam of 1999 Champion US Sprinter Artax.
Bred by Phoenix Thoroughbred (11) Ltd, Gatsby’s was a $220,000 purchase by Aramco Racing from Vinery Stud’s Inglis Easter draft, while his year-younger sister was bought for $140,000 by Malua Bloodstock & Shane Morrissy from Widden Stud at Magic Millions.
Another member of Snitzel’s 2021 crop, the filly Kirribilli put up a promising effort for third in Saturday’s Quezette S. G3 at Caulfield after winning her first start at Cranbourne on 1 August.
