Written by Kit Gow
Cover image courtesy of Trackside Photography
The autumn may be starting to wind down, but the racing doesn't stop, and some big names stepped out on Wednesday to stretch their legs. At Beaumont, Group 2-winning Snitzanova prepared for her raceday return, and at Balnarring jump-outs, Giga Kick wound up ahead of a first-up Group 1 assignment in May.
Snitzanova back for a crack at winter carnival
G2 Sandown Guineas victress Snitzanova (Snitzel) returned to the trials on Wednesday and displayed her superior turn of foot when put under pressure on the Beaumont track. Trained by Ciaron Maher, the 3-year-old filly travelled comfortably near the rear of the field until well into the home straight, where Jean Van Overmeire asked her to stretch out and fly past Burraneer Buoy (Denman) to win by 0.1l.
Video: Watch Snitzanova race replay, video courtesy of Racing NSW
Winner of three starts from five, Snitzanova was a $200,000 purchase for Bennett Racing at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale. Her juvenile full sister Hiatus was a debut winner in October for Tony and Calvin McEvoy, before two brave runs at stakes level this autumn.
Giga Kick kicks home in Balnarring jump-out
Everest hero Giga Kick (Scissor Kick) comfortably won his Balnarring jump-out on Wednesday morning; it was the second jump-out of his winter campaign. The 5-year-old gelding, trained by Clayton Douglas, barely stretched out to pass G3 Birthday Card Stakes winner Austmarr (Exosphere) to win.
It was announced earlier on Wednesday that Giga Kick’s intended return is the G1 Goodwood Handicap on May 10.
Zedative Stakes winner controls jump-out
Last-start G3 Zeditave Stakes winner Tropicus (Too Darn Hot {GB}) took control of his 1000-metre heat at Balnarring on Wednesday to post a satisfying victory ahead of a winter campaign. The 3-year-old colt, trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, never felt threatened by six-time winner Miss Icelandic (Deep Field), who beat him over 800 metres at the beginning of the month.
Kia Ora Stud-bred and owned Tropicus is the third foal from Group-placed Exceed And Excel mare Extensible, who was served by Home Affairs in the spring after foaling a filly by Justify (USA). The family is a branch of the Agan Khan Stud’s ‘K’ family; second dam Kerimba (Ire) (Sinndar {Ire}) is a half-sister to Group 3-winning Keraka (USA) (Storm Bird {Can}), whose descendants include G3 Prix Du Bois winner Keratiya (Fr) (Iron Mask {USA}) and juvenile Listed winner Darkness (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}).
Czech Her Out fends off rivals at Beaumont
Juvenile filly Czech Her Out (Prague) maintained her strong lead to win her trial heat on Wednesday morning on Newcastle’s Beaumont track. The Tracey Bartley trainee powered home to hold off fast-finishing Riga (Hanseatic) to win by 0.45l.
A homebred for her trainer and GM Maher, Czech Her Out is the first foal from three-time winner Bare Naked Lady (Walking Or Dancing {NZ}), a granddaughter of four-time Group 1 winner Mannerism (Amyntor {Fr}). OTM Racing bought her Zousain yearling for $105,000 at the Inglis Classic Yearling Sale this, and she is in foal to Admire Mars (Jpn).
