Snitzel's Russian Revolution a Class Above in McEwen Stakes

China Horse Club's striking Snitzel colt Russian Revolution stamped himself a star of the future when downing Golden Rose winner Astern and Golden Slipper winner Capitalist in the Group II Roman Consul Stakes at Randwick back in October last year and while his old rivals are currently covering their first book of mares, Russian Revolution continues to cover himself in glory on the racetrack.

Winner of the Group I The Galaxy at Randwick in March, Russian Revolution went into winter hibernation after finishing fourth in the Group I Doomben 10,000 in May.

The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained 4yo made his seasonal debut in Saturday's $200,000 Group II Mitty's McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley, leaving his high-profile syndicate of owners in raptures with a dominant performance.

The first surprise came when the short-priced favourite Houtzen was ridden along by Craig Williams to stay in touch with the early leader

Heatherly while Mark Zahra had Russian Revolution travelling sweetly outside the leader.

When Zahra released the brakes, Russian Revolution came clear to win by a length and a quarter from Heatherly with Houtzen the same distance back in third.  (photos Grant Courtney)

"We targeted this race, it was a bit of a trial for the Moir in a couple of weeks time with him and it was a good indication to see how he would handle it," Paul Snowden said.

"It's a trait of the Snitzels they can come together quite quickly. He just wanted a little bit of time to furnish into the lovely colt he is now.

"His pre-race manners have let him down in the past, we've centered on that in the last couple of preps. He's older now and it was fantastic he got to the gates the way he did and it obviously helps him perform a lot better.

"A spot in the Everest is the ultimate aim and we thought if we brought him down here and showed him off it would help.

"If we got a place in The Everest the Moir will be a crucial lead-up so we'll just see how things play out."

Russian Revolution advances his record to six wins from nine starts with earnings of $982,225. 

Bred by John Stuart Investments, Russian Revolution was a $320,000 purchase by China Horse Club / Michael Wallace Bloodstock from the Vinery Stud draft at the 2015 Inglis Easter Yearling sale.

The son of Snitzel is the fourth foal and fourth winner out of the imported Stravinsky mare Ballet D'Amour (USA).

A winning half-sister to stakes-winner Taletobetold (Tale Of The Cat), from the family of champion sires Flying Spur and Encosta de Lago, Ballet D'Amour (USA) was purchased for $100,000 by James Harron Bloodstock, on behalf of Belinda Bateman, at the 2015 Inglis Easter Broodmare sale when carrying a filly by Smart Missile, which has been named Galina.

She had a colt by Snitzel's Group I winning son Wandjina last spring and was bred back to Exceed And Excel but failed to conceive.