Gerald Ryan has no fears about taking on Golden Slipper favourite Samaready with Snitzerland following her easy victory in the Group Three Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes at Flemington.
Snitzerland faces a clash with the unbeaten Group One Blue Diamond victor Samaready in the Group Two Reisling Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on March 24, two weeks before the Slipper over the same course.
“I’m a great believer in times and just looking at the sectional times in the Blue Diamond I’m not that frightened of Samaready,” Ryan said.
Snitzerland, a daughter of Snitzel, romped in in the Inglis Premier (1200m) at Mornington when resuming on February 15 and was a surprising drifter in the betting ring for Saturday’s 1200m race, easing from $2 to $2.80 before starting $2.70 favourite.
However she was again too good when making it two wins from three starts, her only defeat being a narrow one on debut when runner-up to Applegate in the Listed Emirates Airline Plate (1000m) at Flemington on debut last spring.
Ridden by Corey Brown, Snitzerland led and unleashed over the last 400m to score by 2-3/4 lengths from Extreme Impact ($51) with Coins ($14) three-quarters of a length away third.
“The Slipper has always been the aim, right since she had her first gallop,” Ryan said.
“It just so happened that the Inglis race was down here and she came down for it and we decided to keep her here for this race.
“She’s got gate speed, she switches off, she relaxes, she quickens, she’s a great doer at home and I’ve just got to try and hold her together now for another month.
“If it stays wet in Sydney she’ll stay here and get ready before she goes back.”
Ryan said Saturday’s first prize of $75,000 would be enough to put her into the Slipper field.
Snitzerland is raced by Neil Werrett, a part-owner of superstar Black Caviar, along with Steve McCann’s Encompass Bloodstock which is also a part-owner of Samaready.
Snitzerland is now at $13 for the Slipper.
AAP TURF