More Big Bucks and Geography in a Most Interesting 2YO Race

Craig Tompson - Friday January 24

On this weekend last year Chris Waller introduced us to $1.5million Snitzel colt Switzerland and at Randwick tomorrow he introduces us to a $1.75 million Snitzel colt, also geographically named, in what looks a most interesting juvenile race.

United States as a yearling

Switzerland was brilliant winning his debut that day before wins in the Pierro Plate and Todman Stakes, followed by a Golden Slipper disappointment which has been more than atoned for with a Coolmore Stud Stakes victory in the spring.

At Randwick we get a first look at United States, a colt by Snitzel out of Warranty, a stakes placed daughter of All Too Hard from a family which features Australian Group I winner Gathering (Tale Of The Cat) and US Group I winner In Italian (Dubawi), in what is a branch of the famed Shantha’s Choice/Redoute’s Choice family.

Tom Magnier paid $1.75million for United States at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast from Segenhoe Stud on behalf of his breeder John Camilleri and races in the same ownership as last Saturday's boom winner Wodeton.

China Horse Club, Newgate and partners paid $600,000 for the full brother at this year’s Magic Millions. 

We’ve only seen him once at the trials, Rosehill on January 7, where he indicated good gate speed before restrained by James McDonald and coasted down the straight in an effort which has been deemed good enough to see him the $3.70 favourite at Tab.com.au with Kerrin McEvoy riding.

It does look a race of depth however, as one would expect for a Saturday Sydney two year-old race at this time of year.

Godolphin colt Beiwacht, by first season Bivouac, is challenging for favouritism off the back of two January barrier trial wins to go with two trials back in the spring.

Advertisement

He’s a half-brother to the stakes winning Gravina.

The Ciaron Maher trained Yolo is also a filly with obvious potential after a luckless debut at Geelong.

The first foal of stakes winning Snitzel mare Akari, by I Am Invincible, Yolo was a $550,000 buy for her trainer from North at Inglis Easter.

She debuted with a fourth in the Geelong Diamond on January 4 when there were only intermittent stages of the race where not in some sort of bother.

She was certainly green but not at fault and is a horse that clearly has significant improvement coming one would think, and with the runner-up from Geelong, Cavalry Girl winning last Saturday at Flemington, the form has held up.

And don’t be shocked to see a cheeky debut from an outsider in Nordic Viking.

Two-year-old winners by So You Think aren’t thick on the ground but there’s been some smart ones, think the likes of D’Argento, Peltzer and Inference, and Nordic Viking has suggested talent at the trials, the latest when finishing alonside Wodeton when third at Warwick Farm.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Equimillion This Long Weekend – Draws and Start Lists
Racing NSW have their annual Equimillion event coming up this long weekend at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park and for people interested in off the trackers it’s a showcase for the sport, so let’s take a look at who’s who in the zoo.
Jenni The Pride of Trelawney
Comeback mare Pride Of Jenni has given Trelawney Stud a number of reasons to look forward to the spring after a dashing victory in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) on Friday night.
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
She's Unusual Keeps Good Times Rolling
Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints.
Resolute Racing Purchase Top Lot Goffs Orby Day 1
The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale kicked off overnight and the top lot on Day 1 was a colt by Blue Point purchased by John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock for €675,000, while Wootton Bassett produced the top selling filly, whose half-brother Trinity College is now in Australia.
Tara Talks Racing - Insights from a Legend - Darren Beadman
Beiwacht upstaged his more fancied rivals to win the $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose last Saturday in course record breaking style to become the hottest colt in Australia giving us the opportunity to chat to a legend that has been very much involved in his story so far.
Karaka Million Dreaming for Out of the Blue
Te Akau Racing marketing manager Julia-Rose Hayes has had plenty of success syndicating horses selected by her father, David Ellis, and that has continued with her latest syndicate.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 29
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.