Ciaron Maher capped off a busy week at the sales with a feature race victory on the Gold Coast on Saturday, saddling Snitzanova to claim the $1 millionMagic Millions Subzero over 2200 metres.
The daughter of Snitzel, who was a Group 2 winner over 1600 metres as a three-year-old, was stepping beyond 1800 metres for the first time in her career and relished the rise in distance.
Ridden by Zac Lloyd, Snitzanova settled in a favourable position from barrier 13, tracking Group 1 winner and TAB second favourite You Wahng before overhauling her in the final 200 metres. Last weekend’s Magic Millions The Wave winner Miss Joelene worked home strongly into third.
Snitzanova was purchased for $200,000 by Victorian syndicator Nathan Bennett, and Maher said it was a thrill to combine with Bennett Racing for another major success.
“That was beautiful,” Maher said.
“I was a bit worried about how the race was going to unfold because she can get on the bit and she pulled over 1800 metres last week.
“But she was a bit unlucky and monstered the line the other day.
“Zac gave her a beautiful ride today and with that decent tempo today, it was like mile pace so she actually dropped her head and relaxed.
“Bennett Racing are very good at picking their horses – Nath, Phil, Rick and their team do it very well.”
Lloyd, who also partnered Snitzanova to her maiden win in October 2024, praised Maher’s training effort in preparing the mare to succeed over the longer trip.
“It was a great training performance by Ciaron to get her to step up over 2200 metres,” Lloyd said.
“I won her maiden over 1300 metres at Randwick.
“This could be her trip.
“It’s always a struggle with her to get her to relax but today was beautiful because I was able to get onto the back of You Wahng and she took me everywhere.
“My mare was very strong late.”
