Snitzel colt Sandbar opened both his own stakes account, as well as that of his trainer, with a fighting win in Saturday's Thoroughbred Breeders Lonhro Plate (1100m) at Warwick Farm.
Ridden by Christian Reith for brother-in-law Brad Widdup, Sandbar was the first to set out after the freewheeling Oxford Tycoon.
Those two were soon joined by Pierro's Gimcrack Stakes winner Satin Slipper.
In a driving finish, Sandbar proved a long-head too good for Satin Slipper with Oxford Tycoon three-quarters of a length back in third. (photo Steve Hart) .
"He's a real fighter, has a great attitude and he's a winner," Widdup said.
"He is not fully screwed down yet so he got a little bit tired there and Christian changed hands and he fought back.
"He dug deep the other day and he dug deep again today. He can't do more than he is doing."
A $650,000 purchase out of the Strawberry Hill draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Sandbar is now two for two having won at Canterbury when making his career debut on January 19.
Raced by a powerful syndicate comprising of Jadeskye (Mgr: D W Flower), B K Racing & Breeding Pty Ltd (Mgr: B J Hunt), Strawberry Hill Stud (Mgr: J D Singleton), Werrett Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: N R J Werrett) & Nick Vass Bloodstock (Mgr: N Vass), Sandbar is the fourth foal and first winner out of the Group III Vanity Stakes winner Tallow.
A daughter of Street Cry (IRE), Tallow was an inspired $30,000 purchase by Strawberry Hill at the 2008 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
She has a yearling filly by Pluck (USA), a foal by Not A Single Doubt and was covered by Snitzel again last year.
Sandbar becomes the 78th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud's Snitzel who is at unbackable odds to retain his champion sire title in 2018.
