Hot Snitzel’s last-start failure remains a mystery and his trainer is looking to him to erase that memory at Doomben on Saturday.
The winner of the Group Three Sebring Stakes on April 6 at Rosehill, Hot Snitzel was the second favourite in the Prime Minister’s Cup (1300m) at the Gold Coast last Saturday week.
He travelled up on the pace but instead of unleashing his customary sprint to the line, Hot Snitzel only plodded in the straight finishing 13th of the 16 runners, 4-1/4 lengths from the winner Famous Seamus.
The two do battle again in the Group Three BRC Sprint (1350m) and Gerald Ryan is hoping to see the gelding return to his Sydney form after extensive tested failed to find any problems.
“We couldn’t find anything wrong with him so it’s just down to one of those things,” Ryan said.
“I’m happy with how he’s been since then so we’ll move on.”
Famous Seamus was the favourite on Friday with Noel Mayfield-Smith eyeing the Stradbroke Handicap with him.
Ryan won’t be aiming that high with Hot Snitzel and has the Group Two QTC Cup (1300m) on June 1 as a target.
The trainer will be at Scone on Saturday where Flying Snitzel heads his team at the rich country meeting.
Like Hot Snitzel, Flying Snitzel is raced by Triple Crown Syndications who have enjoyed much success with Ryan and the progeny of Snitzel.
Flying Snitzel has been displaced by the unbeaten Missy Cummings as favourite for the $500,000 Scone Guineas but Ryan is confident a firm track will help his filly show the form that won her the Kewney Stakes in March.
Among Ryan’s other Scone runners is Angel Of Mercy who can confirm a Queensland campaign if she performs up to the trainer’s expectations in the $200,000 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m).
“The Dane Ripper, the Stradbroke and the Tatt’s Tiara are all there if she comes back well,” he said.
