Stakes-placed at his first two starts at Flemington and Moonee Valley, it was third time lucky for the Snitzel colt Bittercreek in Saturday's Group II Spirit Of Boom Classic (1200m) at Doomben.
Ridden by Blake Shinn for Leon and Troy Corstens, Bittercreek came from worse than midfield to the gallant Star Witness filly El Morzello by a long-neck, with the I Am Invincible colt President a half-length back in third.
"We came here thinking the 1200 (metres) might be a bit short as he'd want to stretch out. But he's a good horse still working it out, and he put it all together today," stable representative Will Larkin said.
"He's got a great pedigree. He's a half to a couple of Group 1 placed horses and a colt. So, it is good to get these things on the way through with bigger things to come."
"He's a beautiful horse. I'm just delighted for Troy and the team.
"He is quite valuable; he's got a great page on him, and to get that stakes win. Hopefully, we're going on to bigger things starting today.
"(I was) very confident that this horse was smart. I jumped him out prior to his first start and I had quite an opinion of him. He's run well both times, he's got a great character about him, great physical.
"The bloodlines are there, he's got Criterion on his page and I always thought he'd be a nice three-year-old miler, so to do what he is doing now are only good signs for the future.
"He’s had that from day one since I got on him and he’s such a placid horse. No doubt he'll be better when he gets to 1400 and a mile.”
A $375,000 purchase for Malua Bloodstock Pty Ltd/Baystone Farm from the Arrowfield draft at the Magic Millions, Bittercreek failed to make his $750,000 reserve at the 2023 MM Gold Coast 2YOs In Training Sale.
Bred by Belinda Bateman, Bittercreek is the third stakes-winner for the Bite The Bullet mare Rose Of Cimmaron after the Group III winners Siege Of Quebec and Bull Point.
A sister to Mica’s Pride (dam of Criterion, Comin’ Through, Silently and Varenna Miss), Joleur (dam of Bhutane Dane, Gaze On and Upon This Rock), and Money Begets Money (dam of Moqueen), Rose Of Cimmaron has had little luck in recent years. After missing in 2020, her 2021 foal by Capitalist died. She visited Capitalist again last spring.
The second stakes-winning 2-year-old on the day for Snitzel after Lazurra claimed the Woodlands Stakes at Scone, Bittercreek is his 144th stakes-winner and fifth 2-year-old stakes-winner of the season.
