In a slogging finish, the regally bred Snitzel colt Williamsburg opened his stakes account in the Group III Schweppervescence (T L Baillieu Hcp) (1400) run under appalling conditions at Rosehill on Saturday.
Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy for Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou, Williamsburg turned back the challenge of the stubborn Impending filly Moko by a neck with a further four and a quarter length back to the heavily supported Maurice (JPN) colt Matcha Latte in third.
A first-up second at Warwick Farm in February, Williamsburg opened his winning account over 1300m at Newcastle a fortnight later.
Tested in Group III company in the Pago Pago Stakes at Rosehill on March 12, the son of Snitzel was far from disgraced when beaten less than two lengths when fourth behind Rise Of The Masses.
Gerald Ryan revealed Williamsburg is likely to back up next week in the $1million Inglis ATC Sires Produce Stakes at Randwick.
“He’s got a pretty stout pedigree, and he has shown his liking for the wet tracks,” Ryan said.
“He looked the winner about 300m out, but he had to sustain a bit of a slog with one to the line. It’s good for him to get a win.
“As long as he comes through today well, he will probably back-up in the Sires’ next week. That was always the plan, so Brenton rode the other one (Boyfriend).
“Obviously, he was committed to (Gary) Portelli’s (Golden Slipper winner Fireburn) next week, and that was always the plan with him, that Kerrin would ride being a jockey that might be able to ride him next week.”
“He’s copped his racing very well on these wet tracks, so I would be surprised if he didn’t come through it well.”
McEvoy said his mount was brave in the conditions.
“It was bloody hard work, but full credit to my horse; it’s very waterlogged now,” McEvoy said.
“He wasn’t loving it, but his ability got him through it, and he tried hard all the way to the line. He’s a lovely horse for the future.”
Bred by Arrowfield Pastoral and GSA Bloodstock, Williamsburg was a $470,000 purchase by Tony Fung Investments from the Arrowfield draft at the Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
He is the third foal and second winner for the high-class High Chaparral (IRE) mare Fenway, who won the Group I ATC Vinery Stud Stakes on this day in 2015.
A granddaughter of Joi Denise, Fenway was herself a $700,000 Easter Yearling.
Fenway has a weanling filly by I Am Invincible and was covered by Maurice (JPN) last spring.
Williamsburg becomes the 120th stakes-winner for Arrowfield Stud’s champion stallion Snitzel.
