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Snitzel gone but not forgotten at Randwick
Karl Patterson
ANZ News
Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) may be gone but the Arrowfield icon brought back memories going back 20 years at Randwick on Saturday.
The stage saw Snitzel sire three winners headed by Group 1 colt Fireball in the Champagne Stakes (Gr 1, 1600m) – and he was ably assisted by Snitzel Dancer and Matias with their respective Group 3 victories in the James H B Carr Stakes (Gr 3, 1400m) and Frank Packer Plate (Gr 3, 2000m).
It was an All-Aged Stakes Day when Snitzel bade farewell to racegoers in the 2006 renewal of the weight-for-age Group 1. He finished a one-length fourth to Paratroopers (Commands) to close a 15-start career with 7 wins topped by a Group 1 triumph in the Oakleigh Plate (Gr 1, 1100m) at Caulfield.
Snitzel was prepared by Gerald Ryan, and he also saddled Saturday feature winners Snitzel Dancer and Matias with co-trainer Sterling Alexiou, while it was Chris Waller who took Group 1 honours with Fireball.
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Waller – who also landed the main feature when Beiwacht (Bivouac) struck in the All-Aged Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) – said Fireball was overdue after the youngster suffered best-forgotten losses in the Golden Slipper (Gr 1, 1200m) and Sires’ Produce Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m).
“He was very unlucky in the Slipper but credit to the staff,” the champion trainer said. “He’s a happy horse because we don’t overload the young ones and just go with their level.”
Fireball (2 c ex Advance Party by Charge Forward) led home a Snitzel quinella and Waller-trained trifecta, defeating Campione D'italia by 0.3 lengths with Diameter (Brazen Beau) 0.2 lengths further back in third.
"It's been a big preparation and you wouldn't know he's so deep into the preparation,” Waller added. “He's been coping so well and running with so much merit and he deserved that win today."
The Michael O’Keefe-bred bay colt – who became Snitzel’s 28th elite-level winner on Saturday – was offered by Yarraman Park at the 2025 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and was knocked down for $460,000 to James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership and Tony Fung Colts.
Fireball’s dam Advance Party is an unraced half-sister to I Have No Fear (Rock Of Gibraltar) who won a GCTC Ken Russell Memorial Classic (Listed, 1200m). She has been catalogued as Lot 28 for the Inglis Chairman’s Sale on May 7 in foal to Snitzel son and Newgate sire In The Congo.
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Winning jockey Tim Clark was confident going into the Champagne Stakes and settled Fireball back in the field with cover before allowing him to let down with a perfectly-timed powerful finish.
"He got a great run today although I didn't want to get there too soon, but the way the race unfolded I had to present him when I did in the straight,” Clark said. "The challengers came early but he's so tough and fought back. He's been running in all the big races and it's great to get a result for James and Chris."
Snitzel Dancer booked her spot for the Brisbane Winter Carnival when she overwhelmed even-money favourite Plaintiff (Zoustar) in the James H B Carr Stakes. The filly was stepping up in grade off a Hawkesbury win last month and was allowed to jump at $21 under Kerrin McEvoy.
She finished powerfully to win by 0.8 lengths over a game Plaintiff, who endured a wide run albeit with cover and did well to finish a close second, while Karinska (Spirit Of Boom) was held up for a run in the straight before charging through to finish a half-length away third.
"She [Snitzel Dancer] beat older horses with 59 kilos last time and we decided to back off and aim at this race as part of a plan for Queensland,” Ryan revealed post-race. "I've always believed she will get out to 2000 metres. We won't stretch her too far but it's good to see her live up to what she's shown all the way along."
Next month’s Queensland Guineas (Gr 2, 1600m) at Eagle Farm or the Gold Coast Bracelet (Listed, 1800m) are options for Snitzel Dancer and either race could lead to a Classic grand final in the Queensland Oaks (Gr 1, 2200m) in June.
“The further we went, the better she felt,” McEvoy said. “She has a nice attitude and will stay further. She will keep developing and it was nice to see her step up from a Class 1 today.”
The 171st individual stakes winner for her sire, Snitzel Dancer (3 f ex Novel Dancer by Written Tycoon) was bred and sold by Sledmere Stud for $425,000 at the 2024 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale. She’s a half-sister to Pancho (Dissident) – who won five races up to 2040 metres including stakes victories the Kilmore Cup (Listed, 1600m) and TCL TV Cup (Listed, 1800m) at Flemington.
Matias is another Snitzel heading to the Sunshine State after rewarding some solid support as a $2.50 favourite in the Frank Packer Plate over 2000 metres.
He won the Group 3 contest running away for the Ryan-Alexiou team and owners Ron Wanless and Tony Fung Investments and is now bound for a Queensland Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) tilt.
"This was the deciding factor as to whether he would move forward to the Queensland Derby," Ryan said.
“The Derby has always been the aim since he travelled to the Gold Coast in December to win the Grand Prix [Gr 3, 1800m]. He’s a Snitzel and his first three dams either won or ran a place in an Oaks.”
Matias (3 g ex Never Listen by Trusting) was bred by Turangga Farm owner Stuart Ramsay and sold for $450,000 through the Kenmore Lodge consignment to the 2024 Gold Coast Magic Millions Yearling Sale.
His dam Never Listen was runner-up in the 2019 VRC Oaks (Gr 1, 2500m) and she is half-sister to Rose Of Peace (Hussonet) who won the ATC Wenona Girl Handicap (Listed, 1300m). Second-dam Rose O War (Danehill) won a Diamond Jubilee Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) at Moonee Valley.
"He's been a horse that's been building towards this for 12 months and I think we just saw the finished product," jockey Nash Rawiller said. “That's what we thought he would be from day dot and, for me personally, it’s pretty rewarding."
Snitzel died last June and his penultimate crop of 33 yearlings that found new homes at last month’s Inglis Easter Sale averaged $606,000 at Riverside Stables. The top-priced $2 million colt from Ms Bad Behavior (Can) sold to a partnership of the James Harron Bloodstock Colt Partnership, Tony Fung Colts and Tom Magnier.
At time of his passing, Snitzel was a four-time Australian Champion Sire, four-time Champion 2YO Sire, two-time Champion 3YO Sire with five Inglis Easter sale-toppers.
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A win for the ages by Beiwacht
Godolphin colt Beiwacht (Bivouac) cemented his stud future at Darley with a front-running victory against older horses in the All Aged Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) at Randwick on Saturday, completing a Group 1 double for trainer Chris Waller in the process.
The son of Bivouac (Exceed And Excel) had already won at the elite level against his own age group in the Golden Rose (Gr 1, 1400m) last September and following Saturday’s win, Waller was quick to pick out a target like the $20 million The Everest (Gr 1, 1200m) next season.
The champion trainer was plotting long-term in what could be a vain attempt to keep the colt in training instead of being whisked off to stud in the spring.
“You will have to ask Godolphin about his immediate future,” he said. “Beiwacht is a very special horse. He's won the Golden Rose breaking the track record and he's just shown what a talent he is for Sheikh Mohammed.
"It's a very special feeling getting these good horses and I respect they've got big values as well. He's got a great attitude and I've got a great team behind me to help get colts like this to the races in the shape we do.”
Nash Rawiller said Beiwacht travelled beautifully before kicking to defeat stablemate Lazzura (Snitzel) a length, with Jimmysstar (Per Incanto) producing another admirable effort the same margin further back in third.
“It’s a great feeling when you're on a really good horse and know you're home,” Rawiller said. “I just love the way he lengthened stride again when I asked.
“He's just a really highly talented sprinter-miler but at this stage I wouldn't be rushing to get over longer distances. There’s plenty of 1400 and 1200-metre races for him for the time being.”
Beiwacht is a first-crop son of Godolphin homebred Bivouac, who was co-Champion 3YO Male Sprinter in Australia in 2019-20. His dam Metastasio (Street Cry) won a MRC Chairman's Stakes (Listed, 1200m) and she has also foaled Gravina (Sebring) to win a MRC Village Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Caulfield.
Too Darn Hot colt fires in Karrakatta as ‘Jigsaw juggernaut’ rolls on
Trainer Dan Morton struck for the third time in four years when Too Darn Hot (Dubawi) colt Afireofgidgeecoals claimed Saturday’s $500,000 Karrakatta Plate (Gr 2, 1200m) at Ascot.
Morton had won Perth’s premier juvenile event with Super Smink (Super One) in 2023 and Bustling (Frosted) in 2024 and he holds the stable’s latest winner in high regard after a length victory over Beatty (Gingerbread Man) and Aurum Belle (Snitzel).
Afireofgidgeecoals (2 c ex Caiguna by Dubai Destination) had won an Ascot maiden in March and was placed in the Perth Stakes (Listed, 1100m) last start behind Beatty and He's A Machino (Maschino).
“That was awesome and it was a top ride by Lucy [Fiore],” Morton said. “I was confident he was tracking in the right direction so it was disappointing to see him lose last time when he missed the kick. He’s a beautiful horse and I’ve had a big opinion of him since day one.”
The 34th individual stakes winner and 16th in Australia for Darley shuttler Too Darn Hot, Afireofgidgeecoals was bred by Great Southern-based Gray Williamson and is from a long-standing WA family that decamped to the Hunter Valley for a decade before returning home in 2022.
Williamson sold the colt under the Mungrup banner for $180,000 at the 2025 Magic Millions Perth Yearling Sale to Queensland-based owner Shane Stafford, who also races Sir Ernest Lee-Steere Classic (Listed, 1400m) winner Cashel Palace (Street Boss).
Afireofgidgeecoals is the ninth individual winner from nine foals out of Caiguna, who was bred and raced by Ascot couple John and Karen McGrath to win a Natasha Stakes (Listed, 2200m) in 2012. Second-dam Bremer Bay (Scenic) was a successful sprinter-miler with Fred Kersley and third-dam All Washed Up (Marooned) won the WA St Leger (Listed, 2600m) in 1996.
The McGraths sold Caiguna to NSW in 2012 where she foaled winners by Sebring (More Than Ready), I Am Invincible (Invincible Spirit) and Sepoy (Elusive Quality) for Edinburgh Park owner Ian Smith. The best of the four Sebrings was Serena Bay, who won a Golden Gift 2YO Plate (1100m) and was placed in a Percy Sykes Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m).
Caiguna returned home to WA in 2022 after Williamson bought her for $40,000 at the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast. She was carrying Ninetymilestraight (Flying Artie) who won a Belmont maiden during a spring prep for Trevor Andrews before earning black-type when placed in the Lee-Steere Classic on Winterbottom Stakes Day in November.
Having served 110 mares at Darley Kelvinside last spring at a fee of $275,000 (inc GST), Too Darn Hot is currently standing at Dalham Hall Stud for £100,000 (approx. AU$188,480).
Saturday’s record-breaking meeting at Ascot reached its crescendo as Jigsaw (Manhattan Rain) continued his remarkable resurgence with a dominant all-the-way victory in the $5 million Quokka (1200m).
The ‘Jigsaw Juggernaut’ was profiled in Saturday’s ANZ News and it came as no surprise when he led from barrier to box in the lucrative feature for Cranbourne owner-trainer Cindy Alderson. It was the gelding’s seventh win in a row in a sequence which includes Group 1 triumphs on either side of the Tasman.
He held off a late challenge from Rey Magnerio (Magnus) to score by 0.4 lengths under regular pilot Logan Bates. Alderson admitted she was overwhelmed by the performance, particularly given her gelding’s long campaign.
“I’m lost for words – seven in a row, seven years old, it’s incredible,” she said.
"I turned down an offer to Hong Kong for him so I just thought I would hedge my bets. I told Marcus [Price] he was a very nice horse and it’s turned out we've had the ride of a lifetime.
"How could it get any better than this? I picked a spot near the winning post and I just stayed in the zone until the 100 metres when I started cheering, which is not normal for me.”
Bates praised both the Jigsaw’s determination and Alderson’s handling: “He was all out at the 100 metres but just kept surging – what a horse.”
Jigsaw’s winning run dates back to October at Cranbourne and includes victories in the McEwen Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m), Railway Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) and William Reid Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m), underlining a purple patch that has taken the gelding across multiple states and now to Perth’s richest sprint.
He is a rising eight-year-old son of Manhattan Rain (Encosta De Lago) – who will close the gap on Playing God (Blackfriars) at the top of the WA Sires’ premiership with the $2 million first-place prize money allocation.
Manhattan Rain stood at Geisel Park, however, he’s looking for a new home for the 2026 serving season after owner Eddie Rigg announced last week the historic Myalup property will be sold.
