After taking some time to shed his maiden status, the classy Snitzel colt Detective made it two out of two this new season when opening his stakes account in Saturday's Listed Starlight Express Room Stakes (1400m) at Flemington.
Runner-up to Seaburge in the Group II VRC Sires' Produce Stakes last season, Detective had that son of Sebring behind him on Saturday.
Positively ridden by Chris Parnham for trainers Peter and Paul Snowden, the handsome chestnut sat on the speed set by Zunbaqa before coming away to defeat Tessera (Medaglia d'Oro) by three-quarters of a length with Throssell (Captain Sonador) a short-half-head back in third. (photos Grant Courtney)
Peter Snowden said the intention was to run the son of Snitzel in the Group III Caulfield Guineas Prelude on September 24 before the $1 million Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).
"He's two from two this prep, it was good to see him show a bit of fight," Snowden said.
"It was a step up in class and he won again with authority.
"Whether he's a Guineas horse I'm not sure, but he's in it and we'll keep heading that path and see what happens.
"He's getting stronger in his work and stronger in himself physically - we'll take it one step at a time.
"We'll probably go to the Prelude next, but we'll think about that tomorrow."
Raced by a partnership that includes the Newgate Farm, Detective was a $220,000 Magic Millions yearling purchase by James Harron Bloodstock/Snowden Racing from the Arrowfield Stud draft.
He is the fifth foal of the top-class
Transferred to Guy Walter, Covertly was competitive at the highest level in the east without cracking it for a win.
The daughter of Metal Storm placed in the Group 1 Flight Stakes and Group II Tea Rose Stakes before returning home to Perth.
Following a second in the Group II Lee-Steere Stakes, Covertly scored a career highlight win in the Group I Railway Stakes for trainer Stan Bates.
A daughter of Kenmare's hugely successful son Metal Storm (FR), Covertly is a half-sister to Group III winner So Secret (Danetime) and Listed Stakes winner Secret Link (Encosta de Lago) as well as the multiple Stakes-placed Siesta Park.
Covertly is out of the multiple Listed winner Most Secret (Bletchley Park) herself a sister to Listed winner Ebony Magic and a half-sister to the dam of Group III VRC Matron Stakes winner Translate (Love A Dane) who was runner-up in the Group 1 Myer Classic and Group II Emancipation Stakes.
Covertly has a 2yo colt and a yearling colt by Snitzel and is due to foal to Olympic Glory (IRE).
Detective becomes the 42nd stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud's high flying Snitzel who is setting a cracking pace as leading sire of the season.
