Snitzel Off and Running

Mark Smith - Saturday August 5

Reigning champion sire Snitzel has made a quick start to the new season and he looks to have a top prospect in the Tony McEvoy-trained Azazel.

Winner of the Inglis Banner when making his career debut at Moonee Valley back in October last year, Azazel finished second in the Listed Blue Diamond Preview and was fourth in both the Group III Maribyrnong Plate and Group III Blue Diamond Prelude to round out his juvenile season.

Advertisement

He made his seasonal debut in Saturday's VRC Members' Pavillion Handicap (1000m) at Flemington and to the surprise of his trainer proved too strong for the early leader Wait For No One in the closing stages. (photo Darryl Sherer). 


"My one concern was that it might be a bit short for him at this stage in the prep," McEvoy said.

"He'd pleased me in his jumpout here down the straight but he's a bigger, stronger colt this time in and we've got big plans for him.

"The Caulfield Guineas is the race we have in mind but it's a long way away and he will take a lot of improvement from this race today.

"When he gets out to 1400 (metres) and beyond then I think we will see a good colt."

"We'll go to the Mitchell McKenzie (Stakes) next. He's won at the Valley and it's a nice progression to 1200m and a Listed race so it will suit him well."

There was much interest in the first run of the Frankel colt Frankel My Dear who showed he has a future when finishing strongly into fourth place just a length and three-quarters from the winner, which delighted his trainer Robbie Laing.

"I wasn't really expecting him to win but he's run as I thought he would, so very happy with the run." Laing said.

A $310,000 purchase by McEvoy Mitchell Racing Pty Ltd at the 2016 Inglis Premier Yearling sale, Azazel was bred by Arrowfield Group Pty Ltd and the Aga Khan Stud.

He is the third foal of the unraced Linamix mare Allariza (IRE) a sister to French stakes winner Alnamara the dam of the Group III winner Alnadana (Danehill Dancer) who was runner-up in the Grade 1 Beverley D Stakes at Arlington Park.

Allariza's granddam Thawakib (Sadler's Wells) won the Group II Ribblesdale Stakes and is the dam of the champion Sakhee whose eight wins include the Group I Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.

A yearling Not A Single Doubt colt out of Allariza (IRE) was purchased by Aquis/McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Blue Sky Bloodstock for $500,000 at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale in January.

Allariza (IRE) was covered by Olympic Glory (IRE) last spring. 

Advertisment
More Reading...
Libertad Back To Winning Form in G2 Victory Stakes
It had been a while between drinks but Russian Revolution stallion Libertad found his way back to winning form in the Group II Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Kentucky Derby Triumph for Godolphin
Sheikh Mohammed’s revered Godolphin racing and breeding operation have won Derbies all over the world, but until today the Kentucky Derby had proven elusive, but a three year-old colt called Sovereignty changed all that at Churchill Downs before a crowd in excess of 150,000.
So You Think He’s Tough- Punch Lane Wins G3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup
Backing up for a third Saturday in a row, super fit So You Think gelding Punch Lane booked his place in the $3million Big Dance later this year when leading all the way to win the $250,000 Group III Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) on Saturday.
Inglis Australian Weanlings - Unraced Trial Report
With the Inglis Australian Weanling sale kicking off on Monday don’t forget to check the unraced trialler report for a bit more intel on what might be coming.
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 3
Here is the full list of 113 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$1.1million Fastnet Filly a New SW for Sheamus Mills Bloodstock
Tara Talks Racing podcast listeners would have taken notice of the Listed SAJC Adelaide Guineas (1600m) at Morphettville on Saturday featuring $1.1million Fastnet Rock filly On Display.
Deep Field's Depth Of Character Takes The Queensland Guineas
Deep Field three-year-old Depth Of Character has opened the path to a potential Group I Stradbroke Handicap tilt after winning the Queensland Guineas (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Femminile gives Dundeel first female G1 winner with Derby victory
Supersire Dundeel has his second G1 South Australian Derby winner and his first female G1 winner after his courageous daughter Femminile was too good for the boys at Morphettville this afternoon in the time honoured 2500m Classic.
First Stakes Winner for Cool Aza Beel
Newhaven Park’s Cool Aza Beel produced his first stakes winner when two-year-old colt Cool Archie won the Listed Dalrello Stakes (1000m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
2.3million Justify Colt Wins G1 Newmarket 2000 Guineas for Godolphin
The weekend started well for Godolphin when their unbeaten filly Good Cheer won the Group I Kentucky Oaks on Friday and it got even better on Saturday when record priced  €2.3million Justify colt Ruling Court landed the Group I Newmarket 2000 Guineas in the UK.