Three-year-old Snitzepeg has proven champion Victorian trainer Darren Weir wrong with a Listed race win at Flemington.
Weir admitted he had considered whether or not to scratch Snitzepeg from Saturday’s Listed Antler Luggage Stakes (1400m) against the colt’s own age but the three-year-old rose to the challenge to snare his first win of the campaign from four starts.
“I didn’t think he was good enough,” Weir said.
“But we got the perfect run and perfect ride. He had come on for sure since his last start but I didn’t know whether he had come on enough.
“It’s amazing when they get the right run in the race how things can go your way.”
Snitzepeg ($15) enjoyed a good run, one out and one back, before hitting the front at the 200m and then lasted to beat the closing Bravo Tango ($16) by three-quarters of a length.
Sircconi ($8) was the same margin away in third after racing close to the pace.
Ben Melham, rider of runner-up Bravo Tango, fired in a protest alleging Snitzepeg’s jockey Dean Yendall rolled out early in the straight leaving a run between horses for Bravo Tango, before rolling back in.
Stewards disagreed there was a run there and quickly dismissed the objection.
The victory was Snitzepeg’s second from nine starts.
Weir said the Carbine Club Stakes (1600m) at Flemington during Melbourne Cup week had been the plan when Snitzepeg first came back into work this spring and could be back on the agenda after Saturday’s performance.
