The Twitter hashtag #snitzelstrikesagain is getting plenty of use this spring as Arrowfield’s brilliant young sire keeps rolling out gifted performers in several categories, and cementing his lead on three Australian stallion premierships.
Today it was the turn of Snitzel’s 2YO daughter Golconda to generate a flurry of tweets with a sparkling three-length victory in the $120,000 MRC Merson Cooper S. 1000m LR at Caulfield. This year’s running of the race was re-named the Desiree Gill Tribute Stakes, in honour of the popular jockey who died after a raceday fall at Caloundra last Saturday.
Golconda is another breeding success for Gerry Harvey and Baramul Stud which sold her for $145,000 at the 2013 Magic Millions Adelaide Sale to trainer Robbie Laing, whose stable has also produced Polanski (Victoria Derby G1) and Boomwaa (Maribyrnong Plate G3) this spring.
It was Robbie’s wife Rachael who named Golconda, after the city in Southern India celebrated as the source of rare and magnificent diamonds.
Golconda’s dam Eureka Jewel (by Semipalatinsk) was a very good 3YO, winning the VRC Kewney S. G2 and AJC Adrian Knox S. G3. She left stakeswinner Sermon and three other winners before foaling Golconda, who ran a strong debut fourth behind another Snitzel filly Oakleigh Girl in the VRC Ottawa S. G3 on Melbourne Cup day.
Snitzel’s record now includes 18 stakeswinners, 12 of them successful as juveniles, and four of them appearing this season: Cox Plate G1 winner Shamus Award, Group 3 sprinter Malavio, Golconda and Oakleigh Girl.
Snitzel is second only to Monsun (the deceased champion German sire of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente) on the Australian General Sires’ list and heads both the 2YO and 3YO Sires’ tables. Two other sons of Redoute’s Choice, Arrowfield’s Not A Single Doubt and Mutawaajid (Emirates Park), fill the second and third spots on the 2YO Sires’ list.
Buyers have 38 Snitzel yearlings to choose from in January’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale, including four fillies in the Arrowfield Stud consignment. A further eight lots by Snitzel will be offered at the Inglis Classic Sale, three of them under the Arrowfield banner.