The ‘King Of The Kids’, Snitzel edged one winner clear of Written Tycoon and Too Darn Hot (GB) in the race for the number of 2-year-old winners when Wanaruah made a winning career debut in the Golden Mile @ Darley Maiden Hcp (1250m) for colts and geldings at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Ridden by Tim Clark for Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Wanaruah made all the running to defeat the Nicconi debutant French Ruler by two lengths, with the Hellbent first starter Hell To Pay back in third.
Bred and part-owned by Rae-Louise and Padraig Kelly’s Fernrigg Farm, Wanaruah was passed in short of his $300,000 reserve at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
Adrian Bott said the sweet-moving son of Snitzel will remain in training to earn enough prizemoney for a place in the 3-year-old stakes races.
“A nice start to his career, there is a lot of upside there,” Bott said.
“It’s not easy kicking off over that trip against horses with some exposure; an excellent professional performance from him.
“It would be nice to give him another run to condition him, get some prizemoney, and teach him what it’s all about. We would not be afraid to stretch him out further at the next start to gauge him for some nice races in the spring.”
Wanaruah is the third winner from four to race for the Star Witness mare Mella Maria, a Group II winner in South Africa.
Fernrigg Farm purchased Mella Maria for $340,000 off Mill Park Stud at the 2019 National Broodmare Sale when carrying a Redoute’s Choice filly that made $760,000 to the bid of Moody Racing / Tasman Bloodstock at the 2021 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Mella Maria has a weanling colt by Bivouac and was covered by Acrobat last spring.
Wanaruah is the 13th 2-year-old winner of the season for Snitzel, who also leads the way for the number of 2-year-old stakes-winners with five.
