Top-class Snitzel filly Snitzanova had to dig deep to lead home a Snitxel quinella in Saturday's $300,000 Group II Sportsbet Sandown Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield.
Ridden by Daniel Stackhouse for Ciaron Maher, Snitzanova travelled three midfield and looked like she dropped the bit at the 600m.
Once balanced up in the straight, the Bennett Racing colour-bearer rallied to hold the challenge of the Snitzel colt Bittercreek by a neck with the Puissance De Lune (IRE) gelding Somewhere a length back in third.
A troubled fifth when on debut at Rosehill on October 2, Snitzanova captured a super maiden on the Kensington track three weeks later. She then overcame a wide run when winning Group III Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle on November 16.
A $200,000 purchase for Bennett Racing from the Arrowfield Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, Snitzanova advances her record to three wins from four starts with earnings of $384,800.
Maher praised the ride by Stackhouse, who was standing in for the injured Michael Dee.
"He's a great fella Dan, he's a very hard worker and it's the swings and roundabouts of racing. Micky Dee was booked, got injured and that presented an opportunity," Maher said.
"He’s riding with great heart and a lot of confidence. He had a good night last night and he’s backed it up here today.
“Nathan Bennett, the amount of people he brings to the races with his syndication, he’s had a phenomenal spring and they just keep coming through.
“It’s uncanny, he’s got a lot of two-year-olds in the stable and they all show a bit as well. Congratulations to him and his team and my team as well.
“The team in New South Wales have done a lot with her, they identified her down here to take her up to try and contest one of those $100,000 maidens, she ticked that box, ticked the Stakes box and now she’s Sandown Guineas winner.
“The team have done a fantastic job and she’s a valuable little filly now.
“She has that bit of grit and tenacity is what you hope to have and harnessing that and pointing her in the right direction is the key to ensuring they fulfil their potential.
“She’s got a bit of that in her. You could see that today. She hasn’t got the biggest action, or she’s not the biggest horse, but she’s got a lot of grit and determination and even Daniel said late she was going away from them again.
“As she strengthens, she’s only going to get better, but she’s done a great job already.”
Maher pondered whether Snitzel's daughter could be an Oaks prospect.
“It would be interesting whether she’d get the mile-and-a-half but we did have a Snitzel get the Geelong Classic this year, so you never know, but she’s got a bright future,” he said.
Bred by Pacific King Pty Ltd, Snitzanova is the fourth winner from five to race for the royally-bred Galileo mare Albanilla (GB), whose dam Altitude (Green Desert) is a half-sister to triple Group 1 winner Alborada, and dual Group 1 winner Albanova, the granddam of the English and Irish St Leger winner Eldar Eldarov, Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe heroine Alpinista, and the Group III MRC Coongy Cup winner Kingswood (GB).
Snitzanova’s 2-year-old sister Hiatus, a $350,000 buy for McEvoy Mitchell Racing/Belmont Bloodstock Agency (FBAA) at the 2024 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale, won at Murray Bridge on debut on October 12.
Hiatus is the final foal of Albanilla (GB), who died in October 2023.
