Group 1 Awaits Snitzerland in Adelaide

Snitzerland heads nominations for the Robert Sangster Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart.

Classy filly Snitzerland is poised to break through for her first win at Group 1 level in Saturday week’s $400,000 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphetville.

The three-year-old is the standout among 27 nominations for the Adelaide feature after opening her autumn campaign with some sizzling performances.

The daughter of Snitzel flew out of the blocks to beat a strong field in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes first-up before running second behind an outstanding Bel Sprinter in The Galaxy.

Despite collecting more than $1.5 million in prize money and winning seven times from 13 starts, the Gerald Ryan-trained sprinter is yet to crack it in the top grade.

She was runner-up to Pierro in the Golden Slipper last autumn and failed to make an impact in two Group 1 chances at the end of a long spring campaign.

In Robert Sangster nominations only John O’Shea-trained mare Sea Siren (112) has a higher rating than Snitzerland (110).

But Sea Siren has so far been unable to rediscover the form that made her a triple Group 1 winner last year.

The four-year-old was beaten 8 1/2 lengths when eighth in the Galaxy and finished six lengths off Black Caviar when fifth in the TJ Smith.

Also entered for the fillies and mares’ feature is seven-year-old Ortensia who shone on the international stage last year but has struggled since returning home.

The triple Group 1 winner beat just two horses home in the Oakleigh Plate before finishing second last in the Newmarket.

The Robert Sangster is the first of two Group 1 sprints in Adelaide with the $500,000 Goodwood (1200m) taking place on May 11.

Champion mare Black Caviar won both races last year.

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