Stakes Double For Snitzel

Russian Revolution | Darren Tindale

Last season's champion Australian sire Snitzel (Aus) enjoyed a cross-country group race double on Saturday, with 4-year-old Russian Revolution (Aus) taking Moonee Valley's G2 McEwen S. and 3-year-old Menari (Aus) winning Rosehill's G2 Run To The Rose.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained Russian Revolution reiterated his claims for the A$10-million The Everest with a sound first-up victory in the 1000-metre McEwen, defeating Heatherly (Aus) (Lonhro {Aus}) and last year's Magic Millions 2YO Classic winner Houtzen (Aus) (I Am Invincible {Aus}). Last season's G1 The Galaxy winner broke on top before allowing Heatherly to stride forward and set the pace while the 3-year-old filly Houtzen raced on his heels. Houtzen, getting a hefty weight break, was under pressure early and as they turned into the short straight Russian Revolution drew alongside Heatherly with relative ease and drew clear late on to win by 1 1/4 lengths.

Peter Snowden said the next stop for the future Newgate sire is the G1 Schweppes S. (formerly the Moir S.) back at Moonee Valley on Sept. 29.

“We targeted this race on purpose because it was a barrier trial for the Moir S. in a couple of weeks' time so it was a good indication to see how he handled it,” Snowden told Racing.com. “The Moir will be a crucial lead-up to [The Everest] and it's probably going to be a lot stronger than what it's been in the last few years. [The Everest] is hopefully the plan and this win is a bit of stand up and have a look at him and what he's got.”

Last season's dominant G1 ATC Oaks winner Bonneval (NZ) (Makfi {GB}) also returned with a win at Moonee Valley on Saturday, taking the 1600 metre G2 Dato' Tan Chin Nam S. over Group 1 winner Abbey Marie (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}). Traveling slightly worse than midpack off the fence, Bonneval swung four-wide off the turn and need a couple slaps with the whip to hold off Abbey Marie by 3/4 of a length.

Trainer Murray Baker said he was pleased with the win at what was well short of Bonneval's optimum distance.

“We thought that if she could be running on for fifth or sixth we'd be happy but she's got that electric sprint in the finish,” he told Racing.com. Bonneval's key spring target is the G1 Caulfield Cup, and Baker said they wouldn't consider the G1 Cox Plate “unless Winx drops out.”

Another Saturday Moonee Valley stakes winner with Everest potential is Australian Bloodstock et al's Japanese import Brave Smash (Jpn) (Tosen Phantom {Jpn}), who bested his Darren Weir stablemate and Winx's little brother El Divino (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) by a half-length in the Listed Chandler Macleod S. over 1200 metres.

In Sydney, the Gerald Ryan-trained Menari made it two straight with a 1 1/2 length win over 'TDN Rising Star' Pariah (Aus) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) in the Run To The Rose, a prep for the 1400 metre G1 Golden Rose in two weeks' time. Breaking on top, jockey Josh Parr aboard Menari allowed Perast (Aus) (Snitzel {Aus}) to take up the lead while Pariah raced on his heels. Menari ran down Perast passing the 150 metre mark and while Pariah gave valiant chase he couldn't match strides with the winner.

Ryan, who trained Snitzel in addition to some of the sire's top progeny, had high praise for Menari, saying, “The way he worked last Friday morning, I reckon there's only been two other horses I've clocked sectionals as quick as him and that's been Chautauqua and All Too Hard when they were flying. He burnt the track.”

While Menari will be an attractive proposition for Everest slot holders still looking for a runner, Ryan said a decision about that race will be made after the Golden Rose.

Jockey Blake Shinn said of Pariah, “He traveled beautifully but Menari had 1kg difference. In saying that, full credit to the winner, he was too good on the day, but level weights at 1400 metres in the Golden Rose, it's going to be an exciting race.”

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