Surprisingly, the 5yo Choisir mare Snapdancer was gifted an uncontested lead in Saturday’s Group 1 SAROA Robert Sangster Stakes, and that is all she needed.
A first Group 1 winner for Ethan Brown, Snapdancer was the least fancied of three runners for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace. She led home stablemate Away Game (Snitzel) by one and a half lengths with the favourite September Run (Exceed And Excel) a length and a quarter back in third.
Snapdancer had been a model of consistency before beating just two of the 17 runners home in the Group 1 Newmarket Handicap at Flemington at her most recent start.
“Whether it was track bias or didn’t like the straight, we freshened her up. The main thing with her is the start,” Maher said.
I said to Ethan if you get the start, the rest is easy.
“I was very surprised how easy she got across.
“It’s a great result for Brad Spicer and the crew. The team has done a great job with her. She has been up a long time - from January winning the race ($1million Magic Millions Filly and Mares).
“Away Game must be the best bridesmaid in the country.
“She (Snapdncer) is a Group 1 winner now. She will probably go back to the Magic Millions the boys seem to like it up there.
“It’s great for Brownie who does a lot for the stable and really thinks about what he is doing. He puts in a lot of homework, so it is fantastic.”
The winner of the Group III ATC Triscay Stakes in February, Snapdancer advances her record to six four two from 18 starts with earnings of $1,299,620.
Bred by Coolmore, Snapdancer was a $180,000 purchase by Spicer Thoroughbreds/Darren Weir Racing from the Sledmere Stud draft at the 2018 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, having been pinhooked for $60,000 as a weanling from the 2017 Inglis Chairman’s Sale
She is a half-sister to five winners headed by the dual Group III placed Drago (Danehill Dancer), who was fourth in the ATC Sires’ Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes.
Snapdancer’s dam Snapdragon (IRE) was sold to The Mission Syndicate for $60,000 at the 2018 National Broodmare Sale.
The daughter of Galileo (IRE) died in 2020. Her final foal is a 2yo filly by The Mission.
Snapdancer and Away Game are catalogued for the Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale, along with 8th placed Chaillot, 12th placed Heresy, and 13th placed Bella Vella.
