Snitzel's Trapeze Artist Blows Them Away in Golden Rose

There are several similarities in stablemates Menari and Trapeze Artist.

Besides both residing in the Gerald Ryan barn, they are by reigning champion sire Snitzel, both are homebreds for breeders that could not sell them as yearlings, both were among the best of their generation at two, but there was a huge difference in the odds when going to post for Saturday's $1 million Group I Golden Rose (1400m) at Rosehill.

Sent off a $41 chance, Trapeze Artist was caught wide the trip before powering down the centre of the track under Tye Angland to defeat the filly Champagne Cuddles (Not A Single Doubt) by four and a quarter lengths with the $2.40 favourite Menari (Snitzel) a half-neck back in third.  (photos Steve Hart). 

It was a welcome change of luck in the valuable contest for Angland.

"This race has been a bit of a killer for me so to get him over the line is super," Angland said.

"I was caught three and four wide on Scissor Kick and got run down late by Hallowed Crown and on Press Statement we had no luck, so it's good to change that luck today.

"Those races were a long time ago but I much say it was a very satisfying feeling when we were pulling up."

Winning trainer Gerald Ryan said he was not surprised by Trapeze Artist.

"I have been saying for two weeks this horse has been flying under the radar because of the path I have taken with him and people just forgot about him," Ryan said.

"He has beaten them easy and he was the second colt home in the Golden Slipper not handling the heavy track, he ran third in the Sires and since he ran here a fortnight ago his coat has come good and his work has been bloody terrible as usual.

"On his work you wouldn't win a maiden but I was really happy with the horse going into the race and don't be surprised if he backs up next week in the Epsom with 48kg on his back."

The winner of the Group III Black Opal Stakes last season, Trapeze Artist advances his record to three wins and a second from eight starts with earnings of $957,750.

Passed in when failing to make his $300,000 reserve at the 2016 Inglis Easter Yearling sale, Trapeze Artist races for a group headed by his breeder Bert Vieira.

Viera had purchased the colt's dam Treppes (Domesday) for $190,000 out of the Edinburgh  Park draft at the 2014 Magic Millions National Broodmare sale.

She was carrying the Black Opal Stakes winner at the time of her sale.

A half-sister to Group I Stradbroke Handicap winner Crawl and the multiple Listed winner Old Man, Treppes has had a series of misfortunes since foaling Trapeze Artist. She missed the following two seasons then her Zoustar colt last died after birth.

She was bred back to Wandjina last year.

In the first few months of the season Snitzel continues to power away at the top of the sires table and you would think that if he sires the winner of the Everest he could put the title beyond doubt before Christmas.

Trapeze Artist becomes his 12th Group I winner.