Snitz ready to impress again for Matthew Dunn on Doomben debut
MATTHEW Dunn’s Snitz turned heads in its debut run at Grafton three weeks ago, and the trainer believes the two-year-old is more than capable of maintaining the winning form.
The gelding entered the competitive racing circuit in an open two-year-old’s race on March 7 against much more seasoned company, but still managed to salute ahead of the $1.40 favourite Harnova.
Snitz got a fantastic jump from gate 11 and preceded to dictate terms from the front to record the impressive win.
The two-year-old has again drawn a wide barrier – gate 14 – for Saturday’s Kiss & Make Up Aquis Farm Handicap at Doomben on Saturday, but Dunn believes the wide alley will not be a problem on race day.
“He did well first up,” Dunn told HorseBetting.com.au.
“He drew an awkward gate first up, as he has for Saturday, but he showed great speed to get across without too much trouble and he beat and open two-year-olds field that day.”
The trainer believes the powerful length-and-a-half victory against a strong field – stronger than most maidens would usually confront – shows how precocious Snitz is.
“The horse that ran second to him (Harnova), he beat it pretty soundly and it had pretty good provincial form so you would hope that he would improve even further from that.”
Snitz will experience the heavy track for the first time in its short racing career, but will be protected from an overly-shredded course given the gelding runs in race one on the day.
As of Wednesday the track is rated a Heavy 10 for Saturday’s eight race card, and Dunn believes the surface will provide a great test for the two-year-old.
“He’s improved and has gotten a little bit better, it’s just going to be a case of whether he can get through the ground or not.
“Looking at (Wednesday’s races at Doomben) it’s going to be awfully wet again on Saturday.”
The product of Snitzel and Tickle My is expected to progress through its grades and become a quality runner.
Despite the strong maiden victory, nothing short of an eye-catching win on Saturday would see Dunn targeting any races, in particular Brisbane’s winter carnival.
“We’re probably just going to take it as it comes,” the trainer said.
“It’s only just first racing prep, so we’ll see how he goes Saturday and if he happens to win and was really impressive he’s probably in a position we he could have a short let-up and be set for the winter.”
Irrespective of Saturday’s result, Dunn believes Snitz will go on to bigger and better things, it is just a matter of when.
“He has to prove that he’s taken the steps from his maiden to Saturday to warrant taking him into the winter, and if he happens to get beat (it will mean) he wasn’t quite as good, but he’s probably going to improve next preparation.
“He’s still not quite mature yet, so we’re just taking it as it comes.”