Snitzerland sparkles in Sapphire

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.