Gerald Ryan is the unofficial home of Snitzel progeny with a highly successful partnership with the sire having been built up over the last couple of seasons.
He has up to 20 horses in his stable which are by the former champion and it’s his juvenile ranks which are among the most strong.
He will unveil his latest two year old in the final juvenile series of the season when Tidalzone lines up in the Rosebud colts and geldings Preview across 100m at Warwick Farm this Saturday.
Not only did Ryan train Snitzel himself, he also trained his dam Miss Rainmaker and full brother Intertidal.
While Snitzel’s ability was well shown through his 2006 Oakleigh Plate win, Miss Rainmaker also had plenty of class but her career never really got off the ground after she sustained a bone chip with a record of two from four.
Tidalzone is her third foal and he carries plenty of hopes and expectations.
“The first foal died and the second foal was Intertidal who won two in town,” Ryan said.
“He’s (Tidalzone) a bit more like his dam (than Snitzel), he’s a heavy, solid horse.”
He comes into the race off a Rosehill barrier trial win but faces a tough contest against 11 rivals.
Ryan says eh was a little slow to start off with but with the addition of blinkers and a few extra months in the paddock he’s come along nicely.
“He’s been a difficult horse to get going, he’s got a mind of his own,” Ryan said.
“His first trial was OK and then I whacked the blinkers on him which got him concentrating. He will wear them on Saturday.”
One thing Ryan has found with the Snitzel progeny is that their form on rain affected ground is very sporadic.
“Some do, some don’t (handle the wet ground),” Ryan said.
One thing in his favour though is that full brother Intertidal didn’t have too many issues, he placed on a slow track and his only heavy start returned a nice fourth at Listed level behind Group 1 champion Lion Tamer.
Ryan actually has two horses entered for Saturday’s contest at Warwick Farm but Banana Bender may not start.
Instead he could debut at Hawkesbury on Sunday, if he does he’ll be ridden by Ibrahim Gundogdu.
The rising star jockey won’t be riding at Warwick Farm on Saturday though, instead heading back to Melbourne for a crash and bash one day assignment.
“He’s just going down there for the day. He won two or three races on a horse (Gossip Girl) which got beaten last start so they rang him to see if he could come down and ride it again,” Ryan said.
Gossip Girl will run in the Wrap Around Hcp (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.
