If a recent track gallop is anything to go by, Snitzerland will be a force to be reckoned with this autumn.
The 2012 Golden Slipper runner-up and winner of six of her 11 starts ramps up her preparation in a barrier trial on Tuesday with trainer Gerald Ryan excited about her progress throughout the summer months.
Snitzeland winning the TBV Thorougdred Breeders Stakes at Flemington - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
She proved to Ryan and jockey Corey Brown she was spot-on with a recent hit-out against Mrs Onassis.
The gallop last Tuesday week was the stepping stone for Mrs Onassis to go to Melbourne for the Oakleigh Plate after Ryan was undecided whether the mare should take her place in the Group One.
Mrs Onassis duly won the Caulfield sprint to further underline Snitzerland’s class.
“Snitzerland beat Mrs Onassis in the gallop,” Ryan said.
“If there had been a suitable race for her she would have run by now, she is going that well.
“The plan is to barrier trial on Tuesday and then run first-up in the Challenge Stakes.
“She is stronger and heavier than she was in the spring.”
The winner of the Group Two Challenge Stakes (1100m) at Warwick Farm on March 16 is guaranteed a start in the feature Sydney Group One sprints, the Galaxy (1100m) on March 30 and TJ Smith (1200m) on April 13.
But Ryan has not committed the filly beyond the Challenge and already has the Galaxy earmarked for Mrs Onassis, an 1100m specialist.
The Gerry Harvey-owned mare has won eight of her 18 starts, one over 1000 metres and seven over the 1100 of the Oakleigh Plate.
Her best result in four starts over longer was a third in the Group Three Sportingbet Classic (1200m) at Caulfield in the spring.
“Mrs Onassis will come back to Sydney from Melbourne late this week,” he said.
“The Galaxy is the obvious race for her. She is so much more effective over 1100 metres.”
The weather will also play a part with Ryan hoping the wet conditions in Sydney don’t continue with Mrs Onassis preferring good ground.
