Best On Breeding

Mark Smith - Friday December 16

An intriguing race for two-year-olds over 1100m opens proceeding at Randwick on Saturday with five of the seven acceptors making their first start.

They include the first three in the betting, the odd-on favourite Snapback, the Chris Waller-trained Capitalist filly Lazzago, and the hulking Exosphere colt Crucible.

Snapback an $825,000 Magic Millions yearling

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Snapback and Lazzago have impressed in barrier trials without being let off the leash.

It’s hard to go past the Snitzel colt Snapback, who races for a syndicate comprising mainly of those celebrating the victory of the Capitalist colt Sovereign Fund in Wednesday’s $200,000 Magic Millions Wyong 2YO Classic (RL).

Like Sovereign Fund, Snapback was knocked down to China Horse Club/Newgate Bloodstock/Trilogy Racing at the 2022 Magic Millions.

Consigned by his breeder, Arrowfield Stud, the handsome son of Snitzel, was an $825,000 purchase.  

A hefty price tag, but Snapback’s siblings have given his connections plenty of reasons to be optimistic.

His 3yo sister Wee Nessy has three wins, a second, and a third from seven starts, including a last-start victory in the Listed MVRC William Crockett Stakes.

Snapback’s 4yo brother Adios has been in hot form for Frankie Lor in Hong Kong, winning two of his last three.

Their dam Later Gator was a talented performer, firstly for Gai Waterhouse and then Peter Moody.

The daughter of More Than Ready (USA) made a winning debut at Canterbury, defeating subsequent Group II ATC Tea Rose Stakes winner Longport, before finishing third behind Epaulette in the Listed Black Opal Stakes.

Unplaced in the Group II Magic Night Stakes won by Emire Of Japan’s dam Ichihara (General Nediym) and in Pierro’s Golden Slipper, Later Gater added a race at Cranbourne at three.

Arrowfield purchased Later Gator for $185,000 off Strawberry Hill Stud at the 2013 National Broodmare Sale.

A half-sister to Group III performed Mossman mare Next The Universe, Later Gator is a fifth-generation descendent of the peerless Denise’s Joy.

Saturday’s race has extra importance to Arrowfield Stud, which consigns a Dundeel half-sister to Snapback to the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale (lot 549).

Later Gator missed last season.

Snitzel has a whopping 46 yearlings entered for the Magic Millions in January.

 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.
One to Watch – Goulburn
This expensive Snitzel colt chased some good horses home in Group races last season and was duly sent out a short priced favourite at Goulburn on Friday.
Melbourne Cup Pedigree Analysis - Do It Yourself
Breednet has produced a great page with click through to five generation pedigrees for all the Melbourne Cup runners, so for amateur pedigree buffs looking to have a Cup flutter based pedigree here’s your chance  to DIY it!
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.