Trainer Gerald Ryan will unleash runners at Rosehill Gardens and Eagle Farm this Saturday
Master trainer Gerald Ryan was discussing his Saturday starters when inevitably the subject turned to his former brilliant sprinter and super sire Snitzel which died earlier this week.
'Snitzel was a terrific horse to a lot of people,'' Ryan said.
'His statistics as a stallion and all his stakes winners are just unbelievable.''
Ryan has trained more than 2000 winners including 25 at Group 1 level during his career and prepared some outstanding horses like Trapeze Artist, Clangalang, Snitzerland, Hurricane Sky and Paint but arguably Snitzel's win in the 2006 Oakleigh Plate was the most significant.
It was an overdue Group 1 win for Snitzel that set him up for what was to be a hugely successful stallion career at Arrowfield Stud where he was four-time Australian Champion Sire.
'Snitzel deserved that Oakleigh Plate then next start he was unlucky not to beat Takeover Target in the Newmarket Handicap,'' Ryan recalled.
'We brought him back to Sydney and at his next start he won the Challenge Stakes in record time. He was an outstanding winner.''
Ryan, who trains in partnership with Sterling Alexiou these days, may not have a horse of Snitzel's ability running this weekend but his stable can still make a statement with Silentsar, Khumbila, High Blue Sea and Pajanti at their home track of Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Silentsar ($9) and dual entry Khumbila ($26) are likely to clash in the Midway Handicap (1200m).
'We have Khumbila for the 1300m race as well but if he runs it will be in the Midway,'' Ryan said.
'But Silentsar would be the pick of our two because of his racing pattern which is suited around Rosehill. He will be up in the first three or four, he's fit and he goes well fresh.''
High Blue Sea is resuming in the Captivant At Kia Ora Handicap (1300m) but seems at generous odds of $17 given he usually sprints well fresh.
Ryan said High Blue Sea is set-up to run well provided the Rosehill track rating stays a soft 6 or even improves for raceday.
'High Blue Sea has returned really well, we've been very happy with his trials and his work,'' he said.
Pajanti ($16) disappointed last start but Ryan felt the mare had genuine excuses when unplaced behind Liberty State last start and can run an improved race in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1300m).
'She got further back than I thought she would last start then didn't have a lot of galloping room in the straight,'' Ryan said.
'She doesn't like being hemmed in too tight, either.
'We gave her a month between runs going into that race and she seems to have bounced back well. Her previous run at Randwick first-up was terrific.''
The Ryan and Alexiou stable also has big-race chances at Eagle Farm with Just Party in the Group 3 $200,000 Gunsynd Classic (1600m) and Arctic Glamour first-up in the Group 2 $300,000 Dane Ripper Stakes (1300m).
Just Party resumed with a fast-finishing second to Media World in the Hawkesbury Guineas but then ran below his best when down the track behind Spicy Martini in the Fred Best Classic.
'When the Eagle Farm meeting was called off that day and the race (Fred Best) was switched to Doomben over 1350m that was the last place I would run that horse but he had to have the run,'' Ryan said.
'He has done everything right since and worked nicely Tuesday. With the 1600m at Eagle Farm and a firmer track, he will run well.
'Arctic Glamour is going really good but she never draws a barrier. She has missed a beat since she got to Brisbane earlier in the week and she just needs a bit of luck in the run.'
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