Snitzel’s 8th Sydney stakes double

Star 3YO sprinter Wild Ruler and new stakeswinner Vulpine combined at Randwick on Saturday to give Snitzel his 8th Sydney stakes double in seven years.

And that doesn’t include the treble compiled by I Am Excited, Estijaab and Redzel on the same, Randwick Guineas raceday three years ago.

This new double takes the Champion Sire’s 2020/21 tally of stakes wins to 12 and his lifetime record of stakeswinners to 108 – nine per cent of all his runners. 

On a Group 1 day dominated by short-margin finishes, the Snitzel pair produced decisive victories that promise further success through the Sydney Autumn Carnival. 

Wild Ruler, already a Group 2 and Listed winner this season, started favourite in the $140,000 Fireball S. 1100m LR, previously won by Snitzel’s daughters I Am Excited (2018) and Samantha (2017) & his Champion Sprinter son Redzel (2016).

Wild Ruler stalked the leader Mamaragan before taking control at the 250-metre mark and sprinting clear for a 1.3 length win, with On The Lead and Andermatt (also by Snitzel) filling the placings. 

Easy as you like.

Wild Ruler takes out the Fireball Stakes under @mcacajamez. pic.twitter.com/Zb1CrWykT6

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) March 6, 2021

From the US-bred mare Gypsy Robin (by Awesome Again’s son Daaher), Wild Ruler was a $525,000 purchase by China Horse Club, Newgate Bloodstock & WinStar from the 2019 Inglis Easter draft of his breeder Kia Ora Stud. His eight start, 4-win career in the care of Peter & Paul Snowden has so far returned $821,000 prizemoney to his owners.

Wild Ruler is nominated for the T.J. Smith S. G1 and the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint G2 at The Championships, while Vulpine’s trainer Brad Widdup will review his plans after she took out the $160,000 Wenona Girl Quality 1200m G3 in 1:08.10.

He said, “It’s incredible really. She has come a long way in a short time. To win a Group 3 against a good bunch of mares is a fantastic effort. 

“She is very tough. It’s her ninth run in. I was thinking about putting her out but I’ll have to have a think about it now.”

Bred by Fergus Doyle from Elusive Leone, an Elusive Quality half-sister to dual Group 1 winner and sire Star Witness, Vulpine is a Magic Millions graduate, bought by Andrew Williams Bloodstock & owner BK Racing for $340,000 from the Willow Park draft.

The 4YO mare has now won 5 and placed in 5 of her 18 starts, earning $237,000 and a considerable increase in her future breeding value. 

Vulpine was also a great result for Sky Racing’s Lizzie Jelfs who over-looked her $14 starting price to make her Pick of the Yard. (And yes, Arrowfield is the Pick of the Yard sponsor, but fortunately for punters we leave the tipping entirely to Lizzie!)

Vulpine and @ZRKD too good for them! @BWiddupRacing happy to get the win and the Pick of the Yard nod from @LizzieJelfs. pic.twitter.com/DaseS5WMde

— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) March 6, 2021

Snitzel has 45 yearlings catalogued for next month’s Inglis Easter Sale, including 8 colts and 8 fillies offered by Arrowfield.