Written by Paul Vettise
A Group 1 pedigree was to the fore at Cranbourne as Paris (Snitzel) posted a comfortable first career victory.
The half-sister to the multiple top-flight winner English (Encosta de Lago) came with a well-timed run for rider Ben Melham to claim the TAB Multiplier Maiden Plate with ears pricked.
Paris pictured as a yearling
“She got clear running in the straight and we felt she would be strong to the line at the end of 1000 metres,” said Sam Freedman, assistant to his father Anthony.
The stable believes Paris will benefit with more time and is likely to be given a spring break.
“We’re in no rush with her and think she’s an autumn type of filly,” Freedman said. “Her runs will be spaced and we might give her one or two more before a break and bring her back for the summer and autumn.”
Paris was offered by breeder Newhaven Park at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale, but she failed to meet her $800,000 reserve and she’s now raced by the stud with former leading trainer Peter Moody.
Snap for Godolphin
In the first event at Warwick Farm, Special Snap was an appropriate Godolphin winner of the event named after her Darley-based sire Shooting To Win, his ninth winner.
The filly had finished runner-up at her previous appearance and she comfortably went one better for rider Rachel King, with blinkers bringing the desired improvement in her last two appearances.
“They’ve made a big difference. She still wants to do a little bit wrong, she just wants to change legs a little bit quickly but they are minor things,” King said.
Trained by James Cummings, Special Snap is a half-sister to the Listed winners Rusambo (Elusive Quality {USA}) and Handfast (Street Cry {Ire}) with their grand-dam the multiple Group 1 winner Love Dance (NZ) (Kaapstad {NZ}).
Planned attack for Academy
A pre-race plan with first-starter Academy (Shamus Award) in the second at Warwick Farm went out of the window early, but all’s well that ended well for the 2-year-old who trainer Mark Newham tipped as a colt to follow.
He was quickly into stride for leading apprentice Robbie Dolan to lead and, despite looking in trouble at the top of the straight, the youngster showed admirable fight to rally for a first-up victory in the ATC member Tours H.
Newnham admitted surprise at Academy making the running and praised Dolan for quickly summing up the situation.
Mark Newnham praised the ride of jockey, Robbie Dolan
“I’ve always had a good opinion of him and we’ll see him at his best at a mile and beyond,” Newnham said.
“The last place I expected to see him was leading, but that’s the difference in the confidence Robbie is riding with at the moment.
“The last place I expected to see him was leading, but that’s the difference in the confidence Robbie is riding with at the moment.” – Mark Newnham.
“When the horse was able to jump and take up the spot he didn’t take him out of the race. He was very fit going into it and the one thing I said to Robbie was be mobile at the 500 on him because the others may be too sharp for him.
“Being in front, Robbie started to up the ante before the corner and it told late when he was able to out-tough them. It was a good effort by horse and rider.
“The best of him will be at a distance so to see him do that first-up was very good. Good winner for the Darby boys so all happy.”
Academy was purchased by Darby Racing and De Burgh Equine out of Tyreel Stud’s Inglis Classic Yearling Sale draft for $150,000.The colt is a son of Couredge (Show A Heart) and both of her foals to race have now won.
Academy as a yearling
Couredge is a half-sister to the G2 Matriarch S. winner Vintedge (Flying Spur) with their dam a sister to the G1 Orr S. winner and sire Racer’s Edge.
