On this weekend last year Chris Waller introduced us to $1.5million Snitzel colt Switzerland and at Randwick tomorrow he introduces us to a $1.75 million Snitzel colt, also geographically named, in what looks a most interesting juvenile race.
Switzerland was brilliant winning his debut that day before wins in the Pierro Plate and Todman Stakes, followed by a Golden Slipper disappointment which has been more than atoned for with a Coolmore Stud Stakes victory in the spring.
At Randwick we get a first look at United States, a colt by Snitzel out of Warranty, a stakes placed daughter of All Too Hard from a family which features Australian Group I winner Gathering (Tale Of The Cat) and US Group I winner In Italian (Dubawi), in what is a branch of the famed Shantha’s Choice/Redoute’s Choice family.
Tom Magnier paid $1.75million for United States at last year’s Magic Millions Gold Coast from Segenhoe Stud on behalf of his breeder John Camilleri and races in the same ownership as last Saturday's boom winner Wodeton.
China Horse Club, Newgate and partners paid $600,000 for the full brother at this year’s Magic Millions.
We’ve only seen him once at the trials, Rosehill on January 7, where he indicated good gate speed before restrained by James McDonald and coasted down the straight in an effort which has been deemed good enough to see him the $3.70 favourite at Tab.com.au with Kerrin McEvoy riding.
It does look a race of depth however, as one would expect for a Saturday Sydney two year-old race at this time of year.
Godolphin colt Beiwacht, by first season Bivouac, is challenging for favouritism off the back of two January barrier trial wins to go with two trials back in the spring.
He’s a half-brother to the stakes winning Gravina.
The Ciaron Maher trained Yolo is also a filly with obvious potential after a luckless debut at Geelong.
The first foal of stakes winning Snitzel mare Akari, by I Am Invincible, Yolo was a $550,000 buy for her trainer from North at Inglis Easter.
She debuted with a fourth in the Geelong Diamond on January 4 when there were only intermittent stages of the race where not in some sort of bother.
She was certainly green but not at fault and is a horse that clearly has significant improvement coming one would think, and with the runner-up from Geelong, Cavalry Girl winning last Saturday at Flemington, the form has held up.
And don’t be shocked to see a cheeky debut from an outsider in Nordic Viking.
Two-year-old winners by So You Think aren’t thick on the ground but there’s been some smart ones, think the likes of D’Argento, Peltzer and Inference, and Nordic Viking has suggested talent at the trials, the latest when finishing alonside Wodeton when third at Warwick Farm.
