Tulloch Lodge co-trainer Adrian Bott has flagged the Magic Millions carnival as a likely target for undefeated three-year-old Snitzonfire.
A typically tough, on-pace runner for the Gai Waterhouse and Bott stable, Snitzonfire continued his rise through the ranks with his most impressive win to date in the Keeneland Handicap (1400m) at Randwick’s Kensington track on Wednesday.
Starting at $5, the gelding led and kicked strongly for Tim Clark to score by two lengths over Bend The Knee ($6.50) with Conrad ($3.70 fav) a nose away third.
Bott confirmed Snitzonfire was likely to be given a short break before being prepared for the $2 million Magic Millions 3YO Guineas (1400m) at the Gold Coast in January.
“At this stage, a race like the Magic Millions is looking very appealing for him,” Bott told Sky Thoroughbred Central.
“Maybe (we will give him) a nice little freshen up just to allow the campaign to settle in now, and we’ll look for a bit more improvement next time in and put together a couple of runs going into the Magic Millions.”
By champion sire Snitzel, Snitzonfire kicked off his career in the country with a victory at Nowra in September before parlaying that into back-to-back city wins at Rosehill and Kensington.
Wednesday’s winning margin was his most dominant and Clark feels the horse is still learning and improving.
“Every time you ask him for an effort he responds. He doesn’t give you everything he’s got, but he gives enough to keep the rest at bay, so I think there’s still a little bit left up the sleeve for him. That’s pretty exciting,” Clark said.
“He’s still got a little bit of race craft to learn. He jumps well but then you’ve got to work on him.
“He’s pretty laidback and he’d be happy to flop out and settle out the back if you let him, but every time you ask him there’s an effort, there’s a response there.
“He’s going through the grades really well and he’s got talent.”
