Snitzerland has been withdrawn from the 2014 The Galaxy; with trainer Gerald Ryan electing not to run the Group 1 winner on a wet track at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.
Snitzerland has been withdrawn from the 2014 The Galaxy Handicap and will have her next race start in the T.J. Smith Stakes in just over a fortnight. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Snitzerland has never previously raced on a track rated worse than a dead four and Ryan said throughout the week that he was unsure how the daughter of Snitzel would handle wet conditions.
The Rosehill Gardens track is currently rated a heavy eight and Ryan, along with owners Steve McCann and Neil Werrett, made the decision to scratch the four-year-old from The Galaxy and she will now be saved for the Group 1 T.J. Smith Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on April 12.
“She has trialed on heavy ground before and gone alright, but trials are completely different to races,” Ryan told Sky Racing HQ this morning.
“When she has trialed or worked on it they have always held onto her head so you can’t really get a true guide on it.
“The worst track she has been on was in Adelaide (for the Robert Sangster Classic) where she drew the fence and pulled up with a problem.”
The talented mare will be having the third start of her autumn campaign in the T.J. Smith Stakes after starting her preparation with an impressive win in the Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning Handicap (1000m) at Flemington on February 15 and an unlucky second place finish behind Villa Verde in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick on March 15; with Ryan set to give Snitzerland a barrier trial at Royal Randwick next Friday in an attempt to replace the run in The Galaxy.
Snitzerland’s withdrawal has led to some big changes in 2014 The Galaxy betting markets and proven wet-track performer Rain Affair is set to start the race as favourite despite failing to fire in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on February 8 and the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) at the same venue on March 15.
Rain Affair is currently available at 2014 The Galaxy odds of $6 and is battling for favoritism with Challenge Stakes winner Villa Verde ($6), progressive gelding Kencella ($7.50), Darley sprinter Sessions ($8.50), 2012 The Galaxy winner Temple Of Boom ($8.50) and consistent sprinter Famous Seamus ($9.50).
