Snitzel Sprinter Green Aeon delivers milestone for Mitchell

Media Release - Saturday January 21

A suggestion from jockey Sam Spratt paved the way for former Hong Kong galloper Green Aeon to deliver a milestone win for Todd Mitchell in Saturday’s Gr.3 Brighthill Farm Yearlings Concorde Handicap (1200m) at Pukekohe.

Sam Spratt urges Green Aeon to victory in the Gr.3 Brighthill Farm Yearlings Concorde Handicap (1200m) at Pukekohe Photo: Kirstin Ledington

It was the first thoroughbred black-type training success for the Cambridge horseman, who is renowned internationally for his skills in the standardbred code.

Green Aeon has quickly become a headline act among Mitchell’s small team of thoroughbreds, winning on his New Zealand debut at Te Rapa on December 10 before running second behind Synchronize in the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) at Pukekohe on Boxing Day.

Advertisement

Spratt suggested that the Snitzel gelding may benefit from blinkers, and that gear change worked wonders on Saturday. The seven-year-old turned the tables on Synchronize and convincingly defeated a talented field of sprinters, kicking clear down the straight and scoring by a length and three quarters. He stopped the clock at a slick 1:09.35.

“That’s my first stakes win, so it’s pretty special,” Mtichell said. “I came here hoping he might run in the first four, so it’s an amazing result. He’s one of the nicest horses I’ve trained.

“Sam said that he just had a tendency to run out a little bit last start, so she suggested putting blinkers on, and that’s paid off.”

Green Aeon began his career in Sydney with Bjorn Baker, where he won his first two starts before finishing fifth in the Listed South Pacific Classic (1400m). He then relocated to Hong Kong, where he lined up in a dozen races and was a winner over 1000m at Happy Valley for Caspar Fownes.

Spratt has been aboard for two of his three New Zealand starts and noticed marked improvement in Saturday’s win.

“I think the blinkers had a huge impact,” she said. “He did a bit wrong last time, but this time he ran straight as a die and found the line really nicely. It was a very good win by a nice horse, and to have two wins and a second from three New Zealand starts, Todd’s done a great job with him.”

Mitchell is now keen to raise the bar even higher with a shot at the Gr.1 BCD Group Sprint (1400m) at Te Rapa on February 11.

“There’s that 1400m weight-for-age race coming up at Te Rapa, which I think we could have a good look at,” he said. “I wouldn’t mind getting him up to a mile later on.”

El Vencedor found the line strongly for second, completing a Cambridge quinella in the Concorde, while Fashion Shoot edged out the topweight Bonny Lass for third. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
$1.3million Snitzel Colt Ready to Fire on Debut for Te Akau
Mark Walker and Sam Bergerson are confident they have the young firepower to make an early impression in the first of the black type features at Pukekohe Park on Saturday.
Best On Breeding
The cerise, white crossed sashes and black cap of Bob Peters, Peter's Investments, may not be the once dominant force they have been for decades in Western Australian racing, but they are far from finished.
Halo Racing Reduction features in November (Late) catalogue
Shares in reigning G1 Caulfield Cup champion Duke de Sessa, G1 Toorak Hcp winner Attrition and tomorrow’s G1 Railway Stakes favourite Light Infantry Man headline an exciting Inglis Digital November (Late) Online Sale.
Magic Millions 2025 Magazine Online
The 2025 Magic Millions magazine is now online with a great mix of gallery images, editorial and vendor profilies.
One to Watch – Hawkesbury
Castelvecchio has gone from nowhere to somewhere during the course of this spring with three stakes-winners putting his name in lights and he had a promising three year-old colt salute at Hawkesbury on Thursday that has now won two of three starts.
Cambridge Stud News
It’s been the spring that keeps giving for Cambridge Stud and it’s not over yet.
Luberon Heads Cambridge Stud Saturday Charge
Lance Noble will attempt to add to a strong run of spring form for Cambridge Stud when he sends out five well-credentialled runners in Brendan and Jo Lindsay’s black and gold colours at Pukekohe on Saturday.
Pinhook Winners 2024 NZB Ready to Run – Churchill Colt the Star
A record breaking NZB Ready to Run Sale this week at Karaka delivered plenty of pinhook success with 18 two year-olds selling for $300,000 or more above their yearling purchase price, so let’s take a look at some of the best of them.
City of Troy Crowned 2024 Cartier European Horse of the Year
Outstanding Justify colt City of Troy was crowned Horse of the Year at the 2024 Cartier awards on Wednesday night in London at a star studded ceremony at the Dorchester Hotel.
$2,000 Gavelhouse Bargain Keeps on Winning!
The Grey Goose continued to belie her purchase price last start when recording her fifth win at Wingatui, bringing her career earnings to more than $225,000.