Redzel wins Hall Mark Stakes
Chris & Michael Ward of Triple Crown Syndications were among the early fans of Snitzel’s progeny and their Arrowfield purchases Hot Snitzel (in 2010) and Flying Snitzel (in 2011) for a total of $85,000 proved very shrewd indeed.
Around $2 million prizemoney and sale proceeds, a Group 1 victory and multiple Group 2 successes later, the brothers could be well-satisified with their work, but their connection with Snitzel wasn’t finished, despite the increasing demand for yearlings by the sensational son of Redoute’s Choice.
Among their 2014 purchases were Group winners Charlie Boy, Dothraki, Gold Symphony and the $120,000 Snitzel-Millrich colt from Marquee Stud at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.
Named Redzel, the now 4YO gelding has put his large group of Triple Crown owners in the stakeswinner’s circle four times in little more than 12 months, most recently after last Saturday’s $150,000 ATC Hall Mark S. 1200m G3 – also won by Hot Snitzel in 2014.
Redzel was narrowly beaten by top-class sprinters English in the Challenge S. G2, and Russian Revolution (also by Snitzel) in The Galaxy G1 at his previous two starts, and bounced out of the gates this time to lead in his trademark take-no-prisoners style. Counterattack and Hellbent stayed in close attendance throughout, but Redzel had the edge coming round the turn and quickly put paid to their challenges with a final burst of speed which took him clear. Counterattack boxed on gamely for second, with Hellbent holding third.
Watch Redzel win the ATC Hall Mark S. G3.
Redzel has paid a dividend in eleven of his 16 starts and returned more than six times his purchase price, making him the kind of utterly genuine, admirable and classy performer every owner would love to race.
Co-trainer Peter Snowden said, “He’s really toughened up now for recent racing, just taking him quietly and giving him plenty of time between runs really suits him. He did a good job today in very testing conditions.
“He’s about 60-70kg heavier than he used to be as a three-year-old, he’s really developed now. Because he races so hard he’s so taxing on himself, I give him plenty of time to get over it and it works really well.”
A Brisbane campaign and possibly an even bigger target now beckon for Redzel as Triple Crown’s Chris Ward notes.
“He deserved to be favourite for the Hall Mark, especially after his two runs this time in. The only query was the extra distance, but he handled it well.
“Redzel has shown he can compete with the best sprinters around and has plenty of options going forward,” Ward adds. “There is a possibility he could head to Brisbane for a race like the Doomben 10,000 and we might even consider The Everest in October.”
Redzel is one of Snitzel’s 24 worldwide stakeswinners so far in 2016/17 and it would be no surprise to see him join 2YOs Invader & Summer Passage, and 3YOs Heavenly Blue and Russian Revolution to make a quintet of Group 1 winners for the season.
