Breaking his maiden last time out over 1500m at Newcastle, 3yo Snitzel gelding Matias stepped up both in class and trip to win the $300,000 Group 3 BRC Grand Prix Stakes (1800m) at Eagle Farm and in the process added a lovely pedigree update to his Magic Millions bound brother.
Second two starts back behind Saturday’s Chris Waller trained race favourite John Dory (NZ), the Gerlad Ryan and Sterling Alexiou trained Matias settled back in the field after jumping from barrier seven in the 14-horse field.
Away quickly from the gates before settling in sixth place, the Ryan Maloney ridden John Dory was getting a lovely run while Brett and Georgie Cavanough’s last start Group 3 Spring Stakes runner-up Bird Whistle went forward to secure the lead.
With just four behind him, jockey Michael Rodd asked Matias for an effort where he commenced to work around the field and as they reached the home bend, he found himself as one of the widest.
As Bird Whistle began to weaken, Ciaron Maher’s Agent Zero charged to the lead before Matias sprinted strongly down the outside to put the result beyond doubt in a matter of strides.
Kristen Buchanan’s Tameloa produced a solid effort to come along closer to the inside rail to finish third, while the race favourite disappointed in the run to the line to finish a well beaten ninth.
Co-trainer Gerlad Ryan said there were some excuses for his earlier runs but could now look towards the Sydney Autumn carnival for Matias.
“He didn't like the real heavy track at Rosehill. He was unlucky at Canterbury. He won well the other day, but he was ridden too close to the lead,” said Ryan..
“I don't know about stretching him further at this stage of his career. I wouldn't mind taking him home and giving him a break, not a long break, and seeing if he can measure up in the autumn.”
With Rodd’s last winner of the Grand Prix Stakes coming via the Bart Cummings trainer Sirmione was back in 2026, the win of Matias impressed the Group 1-winning jockey.
“That was really impressive,” Rodd said.
“Watching his replays down south, he's by Snitzel, he's out of an Oaks-placing mare. You're not sure what to expect.
“Gerald said ride him back a bit today. We had our hand forced anyway. He was a little bit slow out and horses came either side of us and popped us out the back. It was a blessing. They went along really quick, and he was loving the gallop.”
Recording his first black type victory, the win took Matias’ record to two wins and two second placed efforts from six starts with earnings of $232,875.
Purchased by Curran Bloodstock for $450,000 from the Magic Millions yearling sale when topping Kenmore Lodge’s 2024 draft, the Mr JW Ramsey-bred gelding is the first stakes winner out of the Trusting mare Never Listen, a half-sister to Hussonet’s Listed-winning daughter Rose Of Peace
With both Never Listen, and her dam Rose O’ War both running second in the Group 1 VRC Oaks (2500m) of their 3yo season, while third dam Savana City won the Group 1 AJC Oaks (2400m), it's clear where the TFI and Ron Wanless raced Matias gets his staying ability from.
Never Listen has an unraced 2yo filly by Snitzel, while the current yearling, also a full brother to Matias will be offered at January’s Magic Millions yearling sale as Lot 603 in the Kenmore Stud draft, as agent for Turangga Farm.
The mare foaled a colt by Arrowfield Stud’s triple Group 1-winning Maurice stallion Hitotsu just over a month back.
Matias became the 164th stakes winner for Snitzel who is currently sitting third on the Australian General Sires table with earnings in excess of $10.2m.
