Promising Snitzel Colt Breaks his Maiden at Canterbury

Mark Smith - Wednesday April 21

With the first season stallions going 1-2-3-4 in the fillies division, it took the champion Snitzel to halt the run in the colts and gelding division of the 2yo maiden (1200m) at Canterbury, when the favourite Cork Harbour rallied to hold the challenge of the Star Turn colt Astrologer.

Given a positive ride by James McDonald, Cork Harbour dominated the race from the front. He looked to be in some trouble when Astrologer peeled off his back.

Advertisement

Star Turn’s son got within a neck of Cork Harbour at the 200 metres, but his run had come to an end.

Cork Harbour defeated Astrologer by a length with a further three-quarter of a length back to the Foxwedge gelding Leen Fox in third.

It was the second start for Cork Harbour, who had impressed when fourth behind the promising Remarque at Rosehill on January 16.

Winning trainer Chris Waller said the son of Snitzel has a bright future.

Cork Harbour a $475,000 Easter Yearling

 “It is all ahead of him; he is going to improve a lot,” Waller said.

“It’s good to get the maiden out of the way early. He is pretty professional. I don’t think they went all that first 200m, so  James was happy to take up the running.

“It is good to have a versatile horse. I think he is a good sprinter who will be stronger as a three-year-old.”

Campaigned by a high-profile group of owners led by Coolmore Stud, Cork Harbour was a $475,000 purchase by Tom Magnier out of the Willow Park Stud consignment at the 2020 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.

 A half-brother to Matthew Dale’s promising Tavistock filly Molly Nails, Cork Harbour is the second winner from as many foals out of the stakes-winning Pins mare Maritimo.

A $200,000 Karaka yearling, Maritimo was purchased by James Harron Bloodstock for $575,000 at the 2017 National Broodmare Sale.

 Maritimo has Fastnet Rock weanling filly and was covered by Pariah last spring.

Cork Harbour is the ninth 2yo winner in Australia for the season. Only Better Than Ready (12) and I Am Invincible (11) have more.

Advertisment

Race Result - Darley 2021 Roster Mdn Hcp 1200m

Canterbury Track: Good(4) Time: 1:10.34
1
Cork Harbour
- 2c Snitzel (AUS) x Maritimo (NZ) (Pins (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: J B Mc Donald 57
2
1.0
Astrologer
- 2c Star Turn (AUS) x Fast 'n' Witty (AUS) (Fastnet Rock (AUS))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: J Bowman 59
3
1.8
Leen Fox
- 2g Foxwedge (AUS) x Kristy Lee (AUS) (Encosta De Lago (AUS))
Tnr: C J Waller Rdr: B Avdulla 57
4
2.2
Overmann
- 2g Hinchinbrook (AUS) x Zakayla (GB) (Aqlaam (GB))
Tnr: M, W & J Hawkes Rdr: Tommy Berry 57.5
5
3.5
Brillar
- 2c Exosphere (AUS) x Glows (AUS) (Canny Lad (AUS))
Tnr: James Cummings Rdr: J Parr 57
6
3.9
Bartoselli
- 2g Dissident (AUS) x Golden Sunshine (AUS) (Danzero (AUS))
Tnr: John Thompson Rdr: Tim Clark 57
7
6.2
Otelo
- 2g Shalaa (IRE) x Angasi (AUS) (Street Boss (USA))
Tnr: David Payne Rdr: J R Collett 56.5
8
6.4
Saiko
- 2c Maurice (JPN) x Our Miss Bossy (AUS) (Street Boss (USA))
Tnr: P & P Snowden Rdr: A Adkins 55
9
6.5
Koondeeman
- 2g Your Song (AUS) x Dearness (AUS) (Snippets (AUS))
Tnr: G Waterhouse & A Bott Rdr: S Clipperton 57
10
6.9
Mandalong Cash
- 2c Capitalist (AUS) x Niagara Falls (AUS) (Danehill (USA))
Tnr: G R Nickson Rdr: G Boss 56
More Reading...
Breeding To Win – Crystal Ball – New Season 3YOs to Follow
Who are we highlighting this week? - Analysis of the G1 winning 3YO’s for this season has made us realise how many horses on this list took giant strides from two to three, so we are looking into the crystal ball to find some juveniles we believe could end next season as G1 performers if not G1 winners.
Amelia’s Jewel Family Produces Wootton Bassett 2YO SW
Wootton Bassett (GB) added yet another new two year old stakes-winner to his tally overnight in Ireland with the Group III Silver Flash Stakes (7 ½ f) at Leopardstown going to a filly that is closely related to Aussie Group I winner Amelia’s Jewel.
Kiwi stayer Mark Twain on Comeback Trail
One-time Melbourne Cup fancy Mark Twain will make his first public appearance for more than 12 months when the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained gelding has an exhibition gallop at Te Rapa on Saturday.
Hello Youmzain Filly Chasing Another Stakes Win
The Lisa Latta-trained pair of Platinum Diamond and Brutiful Lass will bid to end their juvenile season in perfect fashion at Otaki on Saturday when they tackle the Listed Phils Electrical & Gipsy Caravans Ryder Stakes (1200m).
New Zealand Makes Presence Felt in Hong Kong’s 2024-25 Season
From a freakish sprinter with a (NZ) suffix to an exciting group of up-and-comers sourced from the Karaka sale ring, New Zealand’s influence was strongly felt on Hong Kong racetracks during the 2024-25 season.
Farnan Draws Level with Ole Kirk on 13 Winners
There’s a good battle going to decide the leading first season sire by Australian winners and with just seven days of the season to run Farnan is laying down the gauntlet to the long time division leader Ole Kirk.
One to Watch – Wyong
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable have had a super season and underpinning their success has been a string of talented Kiwi breds and they include an interesting debut winner at Wyong on Thursday by Cambridge Stud’s first season sire Hello Youmzain (Fr).
Sires With Winners - Thursday July 24
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Too Darn Promising
If there is one thing we have learned about the progeny of Too Darn Hot (GB) this season it is that they train on and whatever his progeny show at two they invariably improve on at three so with that thinking in mind we’ve gone looking for a few spring contenders starting with the obvious.
Kiwi Trainer Collects a Unique Double
Riccarton horseman Andrew Carston collected a winning double at his local synthetic meeting on Thursday, firstly as an owner and later as a trainer.