Classy filly Snitzerland has received an early favour with a barrier five draw ahead of her attempt to claim a an elusive Group 1 win in the Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphetville on Saturday.

Snitzerland has drawn barrier five the Robert Sangster Stakes. Photo by: Steve Hart.

The three-year-old heads into the fillies and mares’ feature as the one to beat after getting her campaign off to a flyer against some of the nation’s best sprinters.

Snitzerland flew out of the gates to claim the Group 2 Challenge Stakes first-up before trailing home the brilliant Bel Sprinter in the Group 1 Galaxy.

Trainer Gerald Ryan pencilled in the Adelaide sprint as an ideal target for the daughter of Snitzel who, despite winning more than $1.5 million in prizemoney, is yet to get the desired result from four attempts in the top grade.

With no Black Caviar this year, the field is far stronger than the one assembled in 2012 and Snitzerland will have to beat some quality gallopers if she is to break her Group 1 duck.

Included in the 12-horse field is Kulgrinda who stormed home to beat consistent mare Platelet in the Group 3 RN Irwin Stakes at Morphetville on April 13.

But the RN Irwin quinella will have to overcome an early obstacle, drawing barriers 12 and 11 respectively.

Faring far better at the draw was local hope Avoid Lightning (3) who was third in the RN Irwin.

The Morphetville specialist will relish any autumn rain, having won two from three on rain-affected tracks.

Other notable Robert Sangster contenders include Group 1 winner Yosei and Robert Smerdon’s talented filly Shamal Wind.

Also on the Morphetville program this weekend is the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m) which has attracted a full 16-horse field including David Hayes’ in-form filly Global Balance.