Star filly Snitzerland produced a dominant performance to lead from start to finish and claim her third straight victory in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley tonight.

Snitzerland

Snitzerland. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

With regular jockey Corey Brown back aboard, the Gerald Ryan-trained filly jumped fairly from the inside barrier  before driving through to assume the lead with Elite Elle sitting just outside her.

Elite Elle put plenty of pressure on her early in the race but Snitzerland justified her short price to kick clear in the straight and eventually claim a two-length victory from Hoss Amor and Saturn Rock.

Ryan said the daughter of Snitzel’s major spring target remained November’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) but suggested she may get a chance at 1400m in the future.

“She took advantage of the barrier, did a bit of work early and was still strong late…I was really happy with her,” Ryan told TVN.

“I thought watching them race she might look for seven furlongs (1400m) now.

“We’ll probably go to the Blue Sapphire (1200m) in a fortnight and then she’s got three weeks into the Coolmore.”

In an ominous warning to her future spring rivals, Brown said she was not fully focused in what was her first hitout under lights.

“She took a bit of winding up to get her there,” Brown said.

“I think under lights for the first time just took a bit of her focus away.”

Brown has ridden Snitzerland in six of her eight career starts and is confident she will be able to handle 1400m as she progresses in her career.

“When you bring her back she’s very relaxed, I reckon she’s a better chase horse too,” he said.

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