Snitzerland onto Flemington after Blue Sapphire win

Trainer Gerald Ryan will proceed to Flemington in three weeks with Snitzerland after the filly took out the $250,000 Catanach’s Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield in breathtaking style today.

The odds on favourite was always in the firing line, sitting outside the leader Lankan Rupee and after being clearly headed fought back to beat the fasting finishing Fire Thunderbolt in a tight photo finish.

Ryan was a bit concernd that Snitzerland didn’t show her usual sprint in the straight and will freshened up the filly before the Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 3.

“She dug really deep today. She was strong, the second horse is a very good horse I reckon. If anything they may have been going a bit slow for her. She went good, she got the job done,” Ryan said.

“I’ll have to do a bit of thinking between now and the Coolmore to get her fresh and back up. She’s won four in a row, what more can you do, she’s beaten the colts more then she’s beaten the fillies. She just keeps digging, they run 46.14 the last 800m.”

Snitzerland is unbeaten this preparation, having won at four different tracks this campaign and will be returning to Flemington where she won the Group 2 $220,000 Danehill Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on September 8.

Winning jockey Corey Brown thought he had taken the wrong option by not letting Snitzerland slide at the top of the straight but the filly was able to find plenty under pressure and regain the lead close to the line.

“On straightening I was a little disappointed with the ride. I sunk her back into the bridle when I should have let her roll,” Brown said.

“I was disappointed I didn’t let her go earlier, She dug deep, she got up of the canvas and she done a good job.”

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.