Trainer Gerald Ryan heads to Randwick on Saturday with a strong team but without the horse he believes deserves a Group One win more than any other.
The decision to keep Snitzerland for another day rather than run her against Black Caviar was not a hard one for the trainer.
The managing owner of the filly Neil Werrett is also the head of the group which owns the champion mare but Ryan said he was the one who made the call given Snitzerland’s future Group One commitments.
The runner-up to Pierro in last year’s Golden Slipper, Snitzerland finished second to Bel Sprinter in the Galaxy last Saturday week after winning the Group Two Challenge Stakes.
“It was my call not to run her in the TJ Smith,” Ryan said.
“She has had two gut busters and it didn’t matter if Black CAviar was there or not.
“She needs to be right for the Sangster Stakes in Adelaide.”
The Group One Sangster Stakes (1200m) for fillies and mares is at Morphettville on April 27 with that race to determine whether Snitzerland stays in South Australia for the Goodwood.
Ryan’s Group One focus on Saturday will be on Charlie Boy in the Sires’ Produce Stakes but the stable also has strong chances in other support races.
Mrs Onassis, an upset winner of the Oakleigh Plate in February, will attempt to win at 1200 metres for the first time in the Group Two Sapphire Stakes.
“She’s in great shape and the blinkers will come off to help her settle over 1200 metres with the big weight,” Ryan said.
Mrs Onassis is the topweight in the Sapphire with 58.5kg, 1kg more than Satin Shoes and Altar.
Flying Snitzel, who claimed a decisive victory over Norzita in the Group Two Kewney Stakes, is the only filly in the Group Three Carbine Club Stakes (1600m).
“She is a horse who will appreciate the drier track,” Ryan said.
“She will race against the colts and geldings then take on the older mares in the Emancipation on the last day of the carnival.”
Zaba Zaba Doo, a debut winner at Randwick on Easter Monday, runs in the Group Three Kindergarten Stakes (1100m).
“He is out of a Zabeel mare and I think he will be better over longer as a three-year-old,” Ryan said.
“It’s a big step up but he’s earned a shot at it.”
Il Cavallo and Safeguard, who were emergencies for last Saturday’s Golden Slipper, dominate the markets for the Kindergarten.
