Headstrong youngster Tidalzone will be out to maintain Gerald Ryan’s successful association with the family when he makes his debut at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
Ryan trained Tidalzone’s sire, 2006 Group One Oakleigh Plate winner Snitzel, the gelding’s dam Miss Rainmaker and his full-brother Intertidal.
Miss Rainmaker was retired prematurely when she chipped a knee after winning two of her four starts and Tidalzone is her third foal.
“The first foal died and the second foal was Intertidal who won two in town,” Ryan said.
“He’s (Tidalzone) a bit more like his dam (than Snitzel), he’s a heavy, solid horse.”
Tidalzone will tackle the Rosebud Colts and Geldings Preview (1100m) and comes into the race having won his most recent barrier trial at Rosehill.
Ryan said the youngster had taken some cajoling but the addition of blinkers appeared to have made a difference.
“He’s been a difficult horse to get going, he’s got a mind of his own,” Ryan said.
“His first trial was OK and then I whacked the blinkers on him which got him concentrating. He will wear them on Saturday.”
Ryan has around 20 of Snitzel’s progeny in his stable and he’s enjoyed good success with them but warned that not all of them handle wet ground.
“Some do, some don’t,” Ryan said.
If genes count for anything, Tidalzone should get through the mud.
Intertidal was placed at his only start on slow ground and at his only try on heavy was a close-up fourth to Lion Tamer in last year’s Listed Ming Dynasty.
Ryan also has Banana Bender in the colts and geldings division of the Rosebud Preview but may save him for Hawkesbury a day later.
Ryan confirmed apprentice Ibrahim Gundogdu was only making a flying visit to Melbourne on Saturday and would be back in time to ride at Hawkesbury.
“He’s just going down there for the day. He won two or three races on a horse (Gossip Girl) which got beaten last start so they rang him to see if he could come down and ride it again,” he said.
Gossip Girl will run in the Wrap Around Hcp (1400m) at Flemington on Saturday.
AAP TURF
