The Ciaron Maher-trained Snitzanova ($6.50) has claimed her third straight win of the preparation, storming clear in the Group 2 Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on Saturday afternoon.
The daughter of Snitzel put the writing on the wall in the Group 3 Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle last time out, sitting three-wide without cover to secure her first stakes victory at start three.
She was able to lob into a more favourable position this time around, with Daniel Stackhouse stalking his rivals from the one-one position as Colmar ($17.00) and Craig Williams dictated terms throughout.
It turned into a real sit-and-sprint affair as they turned for home, with Snitzanova the first to challenge in the final 400m, while Bittercreek ($5.50) was circling down the centre of the course.
The well-supported favourite with horse racing bookmakers, Pisces ($3.40), was nowhere to be seen in the concluding stages, with the son of Frosted crowded behind a wall of horses under Ben Melham.
Snitzanova was edging clear in the final furlong, and although Bittercreek continued to reel in the margin, it was to no avail as Snitzanova was thrown over the line by Stackhouse to secure victory in the three-year-old feature.
2024 Sandown Guineas replay – Snitzanova
Ciaron Maher was on course to breakdown the victory and suggested there’s big things to come from this Snitzel filly.
“The team in New South Wales have done a lot with her,” said Maher.
“They identified her down here to take her up to try and contest one of those $100,000 maidens, she ticked that box, ticked the Stakes box and now she’s Sandown Guineas winner.
“The team have done a fantastic job and she’s a valuable little filly now.
“That bit of grit and tenacity is what you hope to have and harnessing that and pointing her in the right direction is the key to ensuring they fulfil their potential.
“She’s got a bit of that in her. You could see that today. She hasn’t got the biggest action, or she’s not the biggest horse, but she’s got a lot of grit and determination and even Daniel (Stackhouse) said late she was going away from them again.
“As she strengthens she’s only only going to get better, but she’s done a great job already.”
Daniel Stackhouse was elated with the win but sent his best wishes to an injured Michael Dee who he picked up the ride from heading into Saturday’s meeting.
“It was a late pick-up, I have to give Mick Dee a shout out and hope he’s recovering well in hospital,” said Stackhouse.
“He sent me a text at midnight last night saying he’s doing OK and that’s great news going forward.
“I was lucky enough for Ciaron and the Bennett Racing team to put me on this horse and the script didn’t go to plan but I’m just lucky she’s a good filly and she did the rest for me.
“It’s fantastic, I’ve only had a handful of rides for Ciaron (Maher) so I can’t thank him for the opportunity so hopefully more to come.”
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