The Twitter hashtag #snitzelstrikesagain is getting plenty of use this spring as Arrowfield Stud’s brilliant young sire keeps rolling out gifted performers and cementing his lead on three Australian stallion premierships.

On Saturday, it was the turn of Snitzel’s precocious daughter Golconda to generate a flurry of tweets with a sparkling three-length victory in the LR Merson Cooper Stakers (1000m) at Caulfield.  This year’s race was re-named the Desiree Gill Tribute Stakes, in honour of the popular jockey who died after a fall at Caloundra last Saturday.

Winning jockey Glen Boss, who grew up in Gympie where Gill was based, was honoured to win the race named after his fellow Queenslander.  “Desiree, Rest In Peace,” Boss said.  “She was a trailblazer all those years ago and she was totally committed to racing.”

Golconda(2f Snitzel – Eureka Jewel by Semipalatinsk) jumped nicely and sat up outside Feels Like Home.  Boss pressed the button at the top of the straight and winner did the rest with a three-length victory over All Sewn Up (Choisir) and Heavy (Domesday).

“She went to the line really well,” Boss added.  “And I think that will turn out to be a very strong form race.”

Golconda is another breeding success for Gerry Harvey and Baramul Stud which sold her for $145,000 at the 2013 Adelaide Magic Millions to in-form trainer Robbie Laing.  The Cranbourne based conditioner has also produced Polanski (G1 Victoria Derby) and Boomwaa (G3 Maribyrnong Plate) this spring.

Robbie’s wife Rachael named Golconda after the city in Southern India celebrated as the source of rare and magnificent diamonds.

Golconda’s dam Eureka Jewel was a stakes winner of the G2 VRC Kewney Stakes and G3 AJC Adrian Knox Stakes.  She left stakes winner Sermon and three other winners before foaling Golconda, who ran a strong debut fourth behind another Snitzel filly Oakleigh Girl in the G3 VRC Ottawa Stakes on Melbourne Cup day.

Laing has the option of heading to the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic in January or the $1 million G1 Blue Diamond Stakes back at Caulfield a month later.

Snitzel’s record now includes 18 stakes winners, 12 of them successful as juveniles, and 4 of them appearing this season:  G1 Cox Plate winner Shamus Award, G3 winner Malavio, Golconda and Oakleigh Girl.

Snitzel is second only to Monsun (sire of Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente) on the Australian General Sires’ list and heads both the 2YO and 3YO Sires’ tables.

Buyers have 38 Snitzel yearlings to choose from in January’s Gold Coast Magic Millions including 4 fillies in the Arrowfield Stud consignment. A further 8 lots by Snitzel will be offered at the Inglis Classic Sale, 3 of them under the Arrowfield banner.

Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice) stands at Arrowfield for $49,500 (inc gst) fee.

GOLCONDA
Snitzel filly claims black-type at Caulfield
Photo / Sportpix