Sniparoochy has continued her rise up the ranks with a black-type first in the LR Jungle Mist Classic (1200m) at Ascot.
One of Perth’s most-improved mares in training, the 4yo daughter of Scenic Lodge sire Snippetson has won 8 of her 17 starts for earnings over $638,000. That amount includes Westspeed Platinum bonuses of $267,100 plus $10,000 in credits courtesy of EPONA.
Scenic Lodge catalogued Sniparoochy (Photo / Western Racepix) for the 2020 Perth Magic Millions and kept a share after selling her for $67,500 to Millfields Park trainer Stephen Miller.
Jockey Brad Parnham left nothing to chance in the first-leg of the Fillies & Mares Series on Saturday. He sent the $2.30 favourite straight to front, albeit one off the rails, and she kept up a strong gallop to score by over a length from Baby Paris (Playing God) and Express Time (War Chant).
“Brad reckoned the fence was off – the grass just seems to be cut a bit shorter – so I just left it up to him,” Miller revealed. “It helps that she’s a high-cruiser and can kick off that speed.
“She’s a gem although it hasn’t always been easy. There were some hard times after she cracked a femur in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic but she’s matured and is going better then ever this time in.”
Miller will let the dust settled before committing to a start in the second-leg on December 3 when the Fillies & Mares will stretch out a furlong in the LR Jungle Dawn Classic (1400m).
Sniparoochy (4m Snippetson – Mamaroochy by Duporth) is the 15th stakes winner for her sire among 505 individual winners. Snippetson stood at Widden Stud before transferring to Scenic Lodge and he’s been busy again this season after covering 94 mares last year.
Scenic Lodge legend Blackfriars also sired a winner on Railway Stakes day with Above The Peg in the Quokka Slot Hcp (1600m). He did best in duel with Tri For Us (Vital Equine) to prevail by a long-head for G2 WA Guineas-winning trainer Simon Miller.
Above The Peg completed an autumn hat-trick at Ascot and Belmont last season before going down two lengths when fifth on his black-type debut in the LR Raconteur Stakes (1400m) in June.
“He’s a wonderful horse and it’s a fantastic result for his owners Barry and Jan McCrostie,” stable rep Kelly Kinninmont said. “They’re the first people I met after starting with Simon and they are so supportive.”
Above The Peg (4g Blackfriars – Sky Rumba by Shrewd Rhythm) is a half-brother to G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) winner Portland Sky (Deep Field). Bred by Anita Vale Stud, he was sold by Dawson Stud (as agent) for $170,000 at the 2020 Perth Magic Millions.
Saturday’s double coincided with the final foal deliveries of the season at Scenic Lodge. Among them was the Snippetson – Simply Wicked filly who is a half-sister to Champion Australian 3yo Filly Delicacy.