As Snitzel's seasonal earnings rocket to over an astonishing $26,000,000, his 4-year-old daughter Sprightly Lass has played her part with a record of five wins and two seconds from seven starts.
After being denied her first stakes success in the Group III Maurice McCarten Stakes at Rosehill in the steward's room, Hawkes Racing's Sprightly Lass bounced back for an all the way win in Saturday's Listed Bel Esprit Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield.
Ridden by Dwayne Dunn, stuck on resolutely to defeat Bons Away (Bon Hoffa) by three-quarters of a length with Malibu Style (Magnus) a nose away third. (photo Grant Courtney )
Unraced at two, Sprightly Lass made a winning debut at Hawkesbury at her only start at three.
At her 4yo bow, she won at Gosford before been taken south to continue her winning streak at Moonee Valley. After losing her unbeaten record when second on a heavy track at Sandown on December 2 last year, Sprightly Lass reappeared at Moonee Valley three months later to win a competitive 55-second challenge.
Back to Sydney, the daughter of Snitzel battled on bravely to edge Dothraki in Maurice McCarten Stakes at Rosehill only to have the decision reversed.
So, few would begrudge Sprightly Lass crediting Snitzel with his 83rd stakes-winner and his 25th individual stakes-winner for the season, which is just two behind the record Snitzel shares with Danehill.
"It was a bit unfortunate the other day but we've bounced back with a good victory here," Wayne Hawkes, who trains in partnership with father John and brother Michael, said.
"Today she jumped good and got across and when Mick Price's (Bassett) came to her I thought it was just going to annoy her,"
"Dwayne gave her a 12 out of 10 ride - he waited and waited until the last 200m before he opened up her jets and let her go.
"She's only ever been beaten twice and one of them was a protest - she's a winner and you don't have to make any excuses for winners."
A sister the Listed Canterbury Classic winner Le Cordon Bleu, Hawkes Racing for $250,000 out of the Luskin Park drat at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Sprightly Lass is the fifth living foal out of the stakes-winning Gold Fever mare Ultimate Fever.
A brother to Sprightly Lass was knocked down to China Horse Club/Newgate TS/Winstar for $925,000 at the 2017 Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Named Stratosphere, the 2yo colt has made just one start to date finishing a promising second to the accomplished Performer in the Canonbury Stakes back on February 3.
Ultimate Fever's yearling colt by Smart Missile was purchased by Snowden Racing for $260,000 at the Magic Millions in January.
After foaling a filly by Hinchinbrook last spring, Ultimate Fever was covered by both Hinchinbrook and Flying Artie but failed to conceive.
