Trainer Rick Hore-Lacy will take it one step at a time with up and coming galloper Snitza who looks ready to win at Sandown on Saturday.
Snitza resumed with a fifth to subsequent Flemington winner Fawkner over 1600 metres at Moonee Valley before he led and went down by a half length when runner-up to subsequent Sandown winner Our Pride And Joy over 1600m at the Valley on November 11.
“Our Pride And Joy had the sit on him and they fought it out and she only just got him the last little bit,” Hore-Lacy said.
“He’s had a couple of runs under his belt and he’s pretty fit now.
“We’ll just take it start by start and we’ll see what he can do.
“We’re hoping he’ll turn into a good horse but at this stage we haven’t got any big plans for him.”
The Caulfield trainer said the Snitzel four-year-old’s performances would determine where he took him as his campaign progressed.
The gelding has come a long way since starting his second preparation as a maiden last time in.
He won four of nine runs that time in including metropolitan victories over 2419m at Mornington and 2000m at Caulfield.
While he is by an Oakleigh Plate winner, Snitza gets his stamina from his dam’s side being out of the Zabeel mare Alba Zitta, a winner twice at 1400m.
His grand-dam Yelgun Dawn, by Deputy Governor, won the 1995 Group One Australasian Oaks (2000m).
Snitza is the $3.30 favourite with TAB Sportsbet for the Corey Gilbey Memorial Handicap (1800m) in which he’ll be ridden by Craig Newitt.
Stablemate Big Spirit is second up after an 11-week break in the Le Pine Funerals Handicap after a satisfactory fourth to Saturday’s rival Centexpress over 955m at Moonee Valley on November 11.
“She’s good. Up the hill at Sandown is a bit of a worry but it’s only 1000 metres,” Hore-Lacy said.
Steven Arnold is booked to ride Big Spirit who has won six times at 1000m but has never raced at Sandown.
The five-year-old mare is second pick at $10 behind the dominant $2.50 favourite Miss Octopussy who was most unlucky last start when hampered near the 800m and runner-up to Centexpress at the Valley.
Miss Octopussy will be ridden by in-form claiming apprentice Katelyn Mallyon.
AAP TURF
