With three stakes-winners, reigning champion stallion Snitzel is on fire at Randwick, the latest moment of glory coming when his sprinting star Redzel scorched the turf to lower the 1000 metre track record in the $500,000 Group II Challenge Stakes and in the process rocket his earnings past $8 million.
A meritorious second behind straight track specialist Redkirk Warrior (GB) in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes at Flemington on February 17, the Peter and Paul Snowden trained gelding was racing in Sydney for the first time since winning the $10 million Everest last October.
Tracking the ferocious speed set by the freewheeling Super Too, Redzel came clear in the final stages to defeat the outsider Jungle Edge (Dubawi) by one and a quarter lengths with a length back to Super Too (Hinchinbrook) in third. (photos Steve Hart).
"I have never doubted his ability and he always gets the job done," co-trainer Paul Snowden said.
"He will head to the (Group 1) TJ (Smith Stakes) and will get there in top shape."
"I'd love to have about 10 of him. Actually, I won't be greedy, five would do.
"He's so quiet, so relaxed, so tough, so fast, he handles it wet, he handles it dry. He ticks every box.
"He's now the finished product and it's been great to be a part of him evolving into the perfect racehorse.
"When you talk bombproof horses, Sepoy's the only horse I think I could compare with him."
Redzel advances his record to 12 wins, 5 seconds and 1 third from 23 starts with earnings of $8,221,750.
A $120,000 purchase by Triple Crown Syndications from the draft of Marquee Stud at the 2014 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling sale, Redzel is the tenth living foal and second stakes-winner, after the Group III winner Danerich, for the former top-class Rubiton mare Millrich.
Winner of the Group III Sweet Embrace Stakes, Millrich was placed in the Group 1 Golden Slipper, Group II Silver Shadow Stakes, Group II Magic Night Stakes and Group II San Domenico Stakes.
A sister to the dam of the talented El Roca (Fastnet Rock) Millrich died three weeks after foaling Redzel.
Redzel's win followed that of fellow Snitzel's I Am Excited in the Fireball Stakes and 2yo filly Estijaab in the Group II Reisling Stakes.
