TJ Smith favourite Hot Snitzel will again be ridden forward after the tactic worked a treat in the BRC Sires Produce Stakes.
Hot Snitzel is currently an odds on shot in the TJ Smith, and if he successful he will join a long list of horses to have completed the BRC Sires Produce/TJ Smith double.
Hot Snitzel drew gate ten in the barrier draw, however with the perceived lack of speed in the race trainer Gerald Ryan will instruct jockey Hugh Bowman to take the talented colt to the front.
“In all his three wins he’s either sat up outside the leader, which he did at his first win at Rosehill and in the Ken Russell at the Gold Coast, or just in behind the leader like he did in the Sires Produce last start,” Ryan said.
“I wouldn’t like to see him get back from that draw as it would take him out of his regular pattern of racing.”
Hot Snitzel is stepping up to the mile for the first time but Ryan believes his colt will handle the journey.
“He’s got the pedigree on his dam’s side to run further and he’s nothing like (his sire) Snitzel.” Ryan said.
Snitzel won the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) in 2006 but only raced past 1200m once, finishing fourth in 2006 All Aged Stakes won by Paratroopers.
Jockey Hugh Bowman is also having some doubts over whether Snitzel has the pedigree to run a strong mile, while he admits that the barrier is a concern.
“The only doubt I have is his sire. Snitzel never won over the distance. And it’s not the best of draws but I’ll be riding him positive again.” Bowman said.
“I’ll be going forward from his alley and the way he won the sires I can’t see why he won’t run the trip.”
Hot Snitzel is currently a $2.00 favourite for the Group One TJ Smith Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
