Trainer Gerald Ryan has opted for a start for Snitzerland in the Group 1 $400,000 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday even though he is unhappy with the weight the mare has received.
Snitzerland is set to run in the G1 The Galaxy. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Snitzerland was allocated 56.5kgs, equal second top weight with Famous Seamus behind last year’s winner Bel Sprinter who has been asked to carry 58kgs with Ryan initially against starting the Snitzel mare.
“On weights she can’t win,”Ryan told TVN.
“Villa Verde meets us one kilo better for beating us half a length in the Challenge and Famous Seamus meets us two kilos better and we finished less than a length in front of him.”
But after more consideration, Ryan has agreed to send Snitzerland around, giving her a chance of winning her second Group 1 after taking out the $500,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington on February 15.
“It’s a Group 1 on her home track,” Ryan said.
“While I’m not satisfied with the weights, it is what it is, and she’ll run.”
“She’s the highest rated horse in the race for a reason.”
“She meets all the other horses she raced against the other day worse at the weights.
“The winner meets her better at the weights – it’s just the way it is.”
Snitzerland was beaten half a length in the Group 2 $400,000 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Randwick on March 15 by Villa Verde who returned to the winner’s list for the first time since her two year old days.
The Galaxy is shaping up as a repeat of the Challenge Stakes with every runner except Buffering entered for this Saturday.
Snitzerland has a pretty good record at Rosehill and that is another reason that Ryan feels he should give her a chance to try to go one better than last year when she finished second to Bel Sprinter.
In her two year old season, Snitzerland was runner-up to Pierro in the 2012 Group 1 $3.5m Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill as well as wining the Group 3 $125,000 Smithfield RSL Club San Domenico Stakes (1100m) in the Spring as a three year old.
“She does have a great record on this track so I can accept why she has such a big weight, and although far from happy about it, we will take on the challenge,” Ryan said.
Snitzerland is also very prominent in the Ladbrokes.com.au market order for the Group 1 $2.5m Darley T J Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 12 and shares the $10 line with last Saturday’s Group 1 Coolmore Classic winner Steps In Time.
Mick Price’s new sprinting sensation Lankan Rupee is the reigning favourite at $3.60 in front of top Queensland sprinter Buffering at $6.50 and Chris Waller’s smart three year old Zoustar at $7.
