The ever consistent Hot Snitzel has justified his trainer’s decision to stay at home with a Group Three victory at Randwick.
Gerald Ryan had toyed with sending him to Brisbane on Saturday to take on a crack field in the Group Two Victory Stakes, but opted to keep him in Sydney for the Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).
“I thought he was better weighted in the Hall Mark with three kilos above the limit than running at weight-for-age,” Ryan said.
“He is such a good little horse. He just steps up every campaign and I think he is going better than ever.”
Hugh Bowman positioned Hot Snitzel ($7) on the fence early just behind the leaders and took him to the outside on the approach to the turn.
The pair eased to the front in the straight and Hot Snitzel kept his momentum under hands and heels riding to hold off the favourite Knoydart ($2) by 1-1/4 lengths with the same margin to Aeronautical ($26).
“He is a quality horse who just keeps turning up every time,” Bowman said.
“He gives his best and I just got him into his rhythm which he likes.
“I have had a bit to do with him and he is a credit to the stable and a great horse for his owners.”
The Brisbane winter carnival is still on the agenda for Hot Snitzel with Ryan and Triple Crown Syndications eyeing off the Group One sprints.
Hot Snitzel finished second in the 2011 Group One TJ Smith Stakes at Eagle Farm as a two-year-old, but it was his second to subsequent triple Group One winner Lankan Rupee last spring which pointed to his class.
“That second looks pretty good now after what Lankan Rupee has done,” Ryan said.
“My ambition is to get him up to a million dollars prize money and he hasn’t got far to go now.”
Hot Snitzel, which has earned $880,000, and Satin Shoes – which returned to racing earlier this year after failing to get in foal – are the only two horses from the 2011 Golden Slipper still racing.
“That says a lot about him,” Ryan said.
