The Next Episode to debut in Golden Gift

Regally bred colt The Next Episode (Snitzel) will get the chance to justify his lofty valuation when he debuts in the $1 million Golden Gift (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

By champion sire Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) out of multiple stakes-winning mare Humma Humma (Denman), The Next Episode was purchased for $2.8 million by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock, briefly holding the record sale price for a Magic Millions yearling before a Home Affairs (I Am Invincible) filly out of Sunlight (Zoustar) surpassed it a day later at $3.2 million. 

The Next Episode has shown encouraging signs ahead of his first start, producing a sharp turn of foot to win his most recent 900-metre barrier trial at Rosehill.

Maher’s assistant trainer Jo Gerard-Dubord said the effort reflected what the youngster had been demonstrating behind the scenes.

“He started his preparation in Victoria, had a jump–out down there and they thought he was good enough to be sent up here,” Gerard-Dubord said. “He trialled at Rosehill and quickened very well. He was still a bit new when he got to the front but he’s a lovely horse.
He’s got a great attitude and he is very competitive. In his work, he likes to win. A lot of the Snitzels are like that.”

Maher will also saddle Artemex (Exceed And Excel) and Spicy Miss (Trapeze Artist) in the Golden Gift, both graduates of the same Gold Coast sale as The Next Episode but far cheaper at $120,000 and $150,000 respectively.

Gerard-Dubord said each youngster had earned their place in the line-up and that there was little between them.

“I’d like to say The Next Episode is [the number one hope] because he’s the expensive one, but you can make a case for all three,” she said.

“They’re very different kinds of horses. Artemex is very laidback and Spicy Miss, there is still more to come. She’s a filly who will keep getting better as she matures but she has got a lot of talent, a beautiful attitude and a big action. [The Next Episode] is a horse who will put himself on speed. He’s very competitive, he relaxes very well and he’s got a very good temperament.”