The winning run of youngster by former star Magic Millions graduate Snitzel continued today when Top Drop scored an impressive win in the Spring Valley Smart Energy 2YO Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill today.
Top Drop produced a long, sustained run from off the speed to hit the front in the home straight and then hold out the challenge from eventual runner up Testa Rhythm, who had a much easier run.
Gerald Ryan, who trained Snitzel during his illustrious career, prepares Top Drop and was impressed by the performance today.
“The other day (on debut) I was a bit surprised he missed the start,” Ryan said. “It was raining and we had that thunderstorm and the track was good.”
“Kerrin (McEvoy) said he gave him a really good feel,” he added. “And he finished the race off good.”
From a lightly raced Red Ransom daughter of SA St Leger winner Kilspindie, Top Drop was purchased for $110,000 from the draft of Vinery Stud at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
The BOBS eligible youngster picked up $62,000 today alone and looks to be yet another bargain Magic Millions buy.
Ryan has five two-year-olds by Snitzel in the stable and he’s been impressed with how they’re shaping up.
“They race, they’re good doers, they’re tough and they’ve never been shin sore,” he added.
“Mine aren’t brilliantly quick early and they look like horses who are going to be better over 1400 or 1500 metres.”
“I reckon Snitzel was getting better as he was getting older. He retired as a three-year-old and he could have been a really good horse.”
Meanwhile, the team from Cambridge Stud would have cheered home Elimbari to win the following race, the Schweppes Sparkling Mineral Water Handicap (1100m).
A filly by Fastnet Rock, Elimbari is a from the former Magic Millions 3YO winner Shalt Not – who was purchased at last June’s Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale for $1.05 million.
Shalt Not is best known these days as the dam of the record breaking filly Amelia’s Dream – an unbeaten juvenile who was a hot Golden Slipper favourite before breaking down. She has since been retired to stud.
