Former star juvenile Snitzerland returns to her trainer Gerald Ryan’s Rosehill stables later this week ahead of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival she will look to break her Group 1 duck.
Snitzerland is on track for a first-up run in the Moir Stakes this spring. Photo: Race Horse Photos Australia.
The smart daughter of Snitzerland, part-owned by Neil Werrett who is best known for his association with glamour mare Black Caviar, has amassed over $1.5 million in prize money in her 14 runs so far which have produced seven turf triumphs – five at Group level.
She also took home a tidy prize when a brave second defeated under a half length by Gai Waterhouse’s now retired super colt Pierro in the Group 1 Golden Slipper (1200m) last year which is the world’s richest two-year-olds race.
Snitzerland had a three run autumn campaign of mixed results last prep which kicked off with a massive three length win in the Group 2 Challenge Stakes (1000m) at Warwick farm in March.
From there she jumped short priced favourite for the Group 1 The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill but she could only manage to finish second to the talented Bel Sprinter.
Her last run was a disappointing seventh beaten three lengths by Platelet in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Classic (1200m) at the end of April when Ryan took her to Adelaide looking to break through at elite level.
While the Group 1 trophy didn’t come then he is hopeful Snitzerland can finally bag one this spring, Ryan looking to have her ready for a first-up run in the $450,000 Group 1 Moir Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 27.
If not the Moir Stakes, run as a Group 1 for the first time in 2013, then she will resume a little later in the $220,000 Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on Guineas Day, October 12.
From there Ryan will raise the stakes with two big targets to round out her preparation starting with the $1 million Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) under the lights at Moonee Valley on October 25 the night before the iconic Cox Plate runs.
If all goes to plan and Snitzerland is still racing well then she could continue onto the Melbourne Cup Carnival for the $1 million Group 1 Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) on Emirates Stakes Day in early November.
“She’ll probably only have two or three runs in Melbourne during the Spring,” Ryan said.
“The four races that I have in mind for her are the Moir, the Schillaci, the Manikato and the Patinack.
“If she isn’t ready in time for the Moir then she could perhaps resume in the Schillaci.”
Wherever she starts Ryan is confident Snitzerland will be hard to hold out as she has come through her spell in excellent order.
“She’s done really well during her break, she’s got a lot bigger and stronger and she looks terrific,” he said.
“She’s made the change from a three-year-old filly to a four-year-old mare sensationally.”
