Snitzerland sparkles in Sapphire

“She was the smallest horse in the race and she came out and did that. It tells you something about her. She is really a female version of Snitzel.”

That may be the highest praise that Snitzerland’s trainer Gerald Ryan, quoted by the Sydney Morning Herald after today’s inaugural $250,000 MRC Blue Sapphire Stakes, can give her.

Pictured: Snitzerland & Corey Brown (centre) are deep in the fight with Fire Thunderbolt (left) and Lankan Rupee (right). (PHOTO: Bronwen Healy)

There aren’t many spectators who would disagree with him after watching the Arrowfield-bred, Bellerive-sold daughter of Snitzel and Monte Rosa pick herself up from certain defeat at the 300-metre mark to score a narrow but emphatic victory from Fire Thunderbolt, Lankan Rupee (by Redoute’s Choice ) and resuming Group 1 winner Sizzling, also by Snitzel.

The win was Snitzerland’s fourth from four starts this season and took her career record to six wins, two placings and $1,325,300 from nine starts. Her next target is the VRC Ascot Vale S. G1 on Derby Day, 3 November.

The trophy for today’s race could only be a blue sapphire necklace, presented by sponsor Catanach’s Jewellers to Lena Attebo, partner of Neil Werrett, who owns Snitzerland with Steve McCann.

The real jewel, though, is the filly.