At Rosehill Gardens, the topweight Amur led home a Godolphin quinella in the Group III Acy Securities T L Baillieu Stakes (1400m), stamping the Melbourne two-year-old form.
Ridden by Nash Rawiller from James Cummings, the son of Snitzel benefited from a ground-saving ride to defeat the Zoustar filly Inhibitions by a short-neck with the No Nay Never (USA) colt Waverly the same distance back in third.
Twice a winner over 1200m at Moonee Valley, Amur travelled north following a third behind the promising Veight and Apulia in the Group III VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington on March 11.
Amur advances his record to three wins and a third from five starts, with earnings of $373,000
“He’s quite an unassuming colt; his bark is worse than his bite,” stable representative Darren Beadman said.
“He’s got a lot of presence about him, and it’s a great job by the team because he can be a little bit of a handful. He came up here in fine order, and he had the tough run over the 1400m in the Sires Produce, which toughened him up for this, but he’s only going to get bigger and better as he gets older as well.
“He did all of his work here in Sydney, and he went down there late in his preparation and had his first start in Melbourne and run around the (Moonee) Valley. I believe any horse that wins their first race or even their second race, they put in on the track, and that’s what he’s done here.
“His mum, unraced mare Leopard, she had a few injuries and being by Snitzel, he’s not one of our sires, but he sired (last weeks) Golden Slipper winner.”
Amur is the first foal of the Animal Kingdom mare Leopard, the lone non-winner from the first eight foals of Darley’s blue hen Essaouira (Exceed And Excel).
A half-sister to Astern, Alizee, and Tassort, Leopard has a yearling filly by Brazen Beau and foaled a filly by Dubawi’s champion son, Too Darn Hot (GB), on September 20.
Amur continues a terrific run of success for Snitzel following the success of Shinzo in the Golden Slipper seven days back. He becomes the third 2yo stakes winner of the season and 134th overall for Arrowfield Stud’s Champion, who extends his lead for Champion 2yo Sire.
