Snitzel blueblood Generation has his honesty rewarded with a valuable maiden stakes success in Saturday’s Group III Red Anchor Stakes at Moonee Valley.
Ridden by James McDonald for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Generation wrested the lead from Dosh shortly before turning for home.
He kept up a strong gallop to hold the challenge of Scissor Step (Toronado) by a half-length with Sudoko (Rubick) three lengths further back in third.
Placed in the Group III Vain Stakes after winning his first two starts at Morphettville and Caulfield, Generation advances his record to three wins and two thirds from five starts with earnings of $250,475.
“The last race took a fair bit out of him, and we decided to give him a little bit of a freshen up,” Maher said.
“He’s had a bit of time between runs. He just needed to fill up and put a bit of weight back on.
“The team down at the beach at Balnarring have done a great job, and he had a nice gallop here at The Valley. He’s still progressing.
“I thought he was very brave. James did the right thing. He got a lovely ride and just sat off Dosh instead of following because we thought that could fall back on his lap. He kicked at the right time, and he was strong late.
McDonald thought he may have gone too soon.
“Good tough effort. A lovely colt who executed beautifully, and he got the job done.
“If I had ridden him before I probably would have waited a little bit longer. But he had a good turn-of-foot and was tough.”
A $575,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Racing/Dermot Farrington Bloodstock from the Newgate Farm draft at the 2020 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Generation is the second and final foal of Fontiton.
A daughter of Turffontein, Fontiton was purchased by Matchem Racing for $110,000 from the Blue Gum Farm draft at the 2014 Inglis Premier Yearling Sale.
She returned $435,750 on the track with three wins from six starts. The real windfall came when SF Bloodstock shelled out $1.1million for Fontiton at the 2016 Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, a milestone first $1million lot consigned by Sledmere Stud.
Fontiton’s first foal (Written Tycoon) was purchased by Mick Price Racing/Suman Hedge Bloodstock for $200,000 out of the Newgate Farm draft at the 2019 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Pinkham won at Seymour last June before placing in the Group III Kevin Hayes Stakes at Caufield in February.
Generation becomes the 115th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s multiple champion stallion Snitzel who is covering this season at a fee of $165,000.
