The picture around the Spring Carnivalâs two Group 1 Classics changed complexion on Saturday when two new key players emerged at Caulfield.
King Snitz trust himself into the Victoria Derby contention with a last-stride win in the Caulfield Classic, while Quick Finish surged up Oaks betting charts after outstaying her rivals in the Ethereal Stakes.
The latter, who is in the care of Tony and Calvin Mcevoy, made it three wins on end when, as a $15 chance, she scored a tough half-length win over Your Colour ($9) in the $240,000 Group 3 over 2000m.
Jye Mcneil has ridden the daughter of Grunt at all four career starts, starting with a fifth placing at Bendigo on July 30 before a Ballarat Synthetic maiden win and 1800m victory at Caulfield, and the Melbourne Cup-winning hoop has been blown away by her progression.
âCrazy to think weâve come from a Ballarat Synthetic maiden to where we are today,â McNeil said.
âSheâs a free-rolling horse who enjoys that role up in front and I was stoked with her performance.âShe obviously stays. As the races have gotten longer, sheâs really come into her own, each time the team has raised the bar sheâs up for the challenge and hopefully weâre on the way to the Oaks.â
Quick Finish is into $8 in betting on the November 5 Oaks, which is over 2500m, behind Sydney filly Proxima Dea ($4.50) and Your Colour ($6), who caught the eye with her fast-finishing effort in the Ethereal.
One-time Oaks favourite Miss Waititi is out to $15, while Fringilla â who started $2.90 favourite in the Ethereal stakes â is now $11 after her fifth placing, beaten just under two lengths.
Not as many reputations were dented in the Caulfield Classic, which is also a Group 3 race over 2000m worth $240,000, with Vallice and Cignetti not losing many admirers in defeat.
They were forced to settle for the minors, but both beaten less than a head, behind the Shane Jackson -trained King Snitz, a colt who has enjoyed a similar progression to Quick Finish.
King Snitz did not make his debut until August 28, when third-last in a 1347m Geelong maiden, but was then placed at the same track over 1700m before a dominant 2000m maiden win at Warrnambool leading into the Caulfield Classic.
He is now a chance to give Snitzel, a champion sire best known for his deeds with sprinters, a Derby win and Jackson said he would be at Flemington on October 31 should he have a smooth fortnight.
âThe horse comes first rather than putting on the black and white suit, which Iâd love to, and Iâm sure Tony would too, but thatâs the aim,â Jackson said.
âWeâll just see how he pulls up from this back down to the beach and wrap him in cotton wool and on to the next step.â
King Snitz and Vallice now share the $8 line, along with Diameter, in Derby betting, behind only True Rebel ($6). Cignetti is on the next line at $11.
