Snitzel’s fourth Ken Russell Classic winner

Snitzel’s 31st stakeswinner and 16th juvenile stakeswinner is also his fourth winner of the $125,000 GCTC Ken Russell Memorial Classic G3 in the past five years.

Surprise $61 winner Big Tree joined Hot Snitzel (2011 winner), Sizzling (2012) & Le Val (2013) on the race’s honour roll with a defiant neck defeat of Blueberry Hill. The favourite Regatta Rebel (by Redoute’s Choice) boxed on well to finish a half-neck away third, her second Group 3 placing in as many starts.

Big Tree, as strapping and solid as his name implies, was having only his second start for his Gold Coast owner, breeder & trainer Peter Balzen,  co-owner and breeder Tom Ware and owners R.J. Mckay & M.W. Buggy.

The 2YO colt is the fourth foal of the Octagonal mare Croft, a city-winning relative of Group 1 winners Benfica, Neroli and the top-class filly Riverina Charm who won the VATC 1000 Guineas, Rosehill  & Canterbury Guineas during the 1988/89 season.

Croft’s 2013 filly by Snitzel was purchased for $150,000 from the Newgate Farm draft by Wylie Dalziel Racing & Peter Moody at this year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale.

Big Tree is the third juvenile stakeswinner this season for Snitzel, after Fireworks (ATC Widden S. G3) and Group 1-placed stakeswinner Odyssey Moon.