The Gerald Ryan trained Hot Snitzel will more than likely be ridden back in Saturday’s Group Two BRC Sires Produce Stakes at Eagle Farm.
Ryan believes that Hot Snitzel’s best runs have come when he was ridden back and the field, and believes the new tactic will give his horse a fighting chance at overcoming Darley pair Benfica and Free Wheeling.
“I’m considering riding Hot Snitzel a lot quieter so he can run home and if I do change tactics I’ll inform the stewards tomorrow morning,” said Ryan.
Ryan believes that his colt’s best runs were in the Inglis Nursery Stakes and the Kindergarten Stakes earlier in the two year old season. Although he failed to win either race, he was ridden back and produced powerful finishes both times.
“In the Inglis he got a long way back and ran home really strongly after running into heaps of trouble. He then ran third in the Kindergarten after being stopped in his tracks at the top of the rise at Randwick.
“I reckon he would have won that race had he got a clear run.” Ryan said.
Hot Snitzel won his first Queensland start with a dominant performance in the Ken Russel Memorial before finishing third to Free Wheeling in the Champagne Classic. Although Ryan believes there was merit in his defeat.
“He raced on the speed and was caught three deep coming around the corner. He only just went down to Free Wheeling.
“He’s bright and well and his work last Saturday and on Tuesday at the Gold Coast was first class.” Ryan said.
Ryan considers Free Wheeling to be a superior horse to his stable mate Benfica and rates the winner of the Champagne classic as the horse to beat on the weekend.
“I had a good look at Free Wheeling in the Doomben enclosure and he looked to have improved a lot. There’s no doubt he’ll be further improved and is the one to beat.” Ryan said.
At this stage the Peter Snowden pair have been the best backed runners in the race. Benfica is currently a $3.10 favourite while Free Wheeling is the second elect at $4.00. Hot Snitzel is on the third line of betting at $5.00.
