Pronto prepares for VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes

Jason Warren is confident his Snitzel colt Pronto Pronto will run a forward race in the G2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes on March 10.

The up and coming Mornington trainer will go ahead with a start in the Flemington feature after Pronto Pronto overcame a wide barrier to win the Schweppes Hcp (1200m) at Sandown on Wednesday.  Warren will also saddle up his class sprinter Bel Sprinter in the G1 Newmarket Hcp at headquarters next Saturday.

Pronto Pronto (2c Snitzel – Teresa by Darshaan) was coming off an excellent fourth on debut in the LR Chairman’s Stakes at Caulfield on February 4.  “We were disappointed to miss a start in the Blue Diamond,” Warren said.  “But it could be a blessing in disguise – the VRC Sires is worth $300,000.”

Pronto Pronto is from British bred mare Teresa who won over 2800m at Lingfield.  She is a half-sister to G2 Ascot Royal Lodge Stakes winner Mons (Deploy) and was sent out here after selling for 50,000 guineas at Tattersalls in November 2004.

Rich Hill Stud sold Pronto Pronto for $160,000 at the 2011 NZB Karaka Sale.  He is raced by Warren’s wife Yasmin, Steve Benson, Colin Clements, Matt Cook, Nadia Foran, Matt Hanson, Anthony Roberts, Jeff Sutcliffe, Scott Warren and Scott Williams.

Snitzel has sired 6 individual two year-olds winners in Australia this season with only More Than Ready (8) ahead of him on the table.

The current crop of two year-old winners are from his third crop bred at Arrowfield Stud.  Flying filly Chance Bye fronted his first crop that comprised 10 juvenile winners.  The second contained 12 winners headed by Sydney and Brisbane G2 winner Hot Snitzel.

Snitzel stands alongside his own sire Redoute’s Choice for a $27,500 fee at Arrowfield.  He has sired 115 individual winners at 66% strike-rate.  Apart from his Australian bred progeny, he has also sired 34 winners in Japan from a stint shuttling to Shadai Stallion Station in 2007.