Leading trainer Adam Durrant has produced another summer carnival prospect at Belmont just days after winning a feature race with his G2 Perth Cup hope Ihts Closing Inn (Sessions).
Durrant implied there were high expectations for Snippy Which (Photo / Western Racepix) following a very impressive debut in the Xmas In July Maiden (1000m) on Wednesday. The 2yo son of former Scenic Lodge sire Snippetson snatched a last-stride victory after grey filly Esprit Garcon (Bel Esprit) had been hailed the winner in the shadows of the post.
“This has only been an educational run for Snippy Which,” Durrant said. “He has good, natural ability and I will pop him back out now because I think he will be a factor over the summer. He was out of his comfort-zone chasing the filly today and it was a good effort to run her down.
“He’s new and has only seen a grass track three times. He’s still a colt but chills out and I’m very keen on him.”
Snippy Which (2c Snippetson – Witchery Woman by Blackfriars) was bred and sold by Scenic Lodge for $26,000 at the 2022 Perth Magic Millions. His dam won up to 2200m at Ascot and second-dam Dedicated Miss (Mukaddamah) won to Group 3 level in the 2004 Hyperion Stakes and Strickland Stakes.
Both mares were prepared by Adam’s father Geoff Durrant and he also has Witchery Woman’s yearling colt by Snippetson and her weanling colt by Dash For Cash.
On Saturday, Dash For Cash 3yo Planet Cash went back-to-back for trainer Hayden Ballantyne when he took advantage of a perfect trip in a high-speed contest at Belmont.
Planet Cash settled fifth in the Luke Marinelli Hcp (1400m) and swooped in the straight to claim Boots Like Bruce (Alfred Nobel) right on the line. “He’s jumping much better and sitting closer to the leaders this prep,” winning jockey Lucy Fiore said. “He wobbled a bit before I changed to the left hand and he can get out over further ground than today.”
Planet Cash is a homebred for Karl Kazmer who used Dash For Cash over Belmont winner Planet Claire (Zedrich). He bred the mare back to Dash For Cash last September.
Noir De Rue, an 8yo son of Scenic Lodge legend Blackfriars, continued his purple-patch in Darwin on Saturday in the Chief Minister’s Cup (1600m). He had claimed the ROANT Gold Cup (1300m) at Fannie Bay fortnight ago and will be favoured to win the $200,000 Darwin Cup (2050m) on Monday, August 7.
Scenic Lodge stands Universal Ruler for an $8,250 service fee this year alongside Dash For Cash at $2,200. Fees (inc GST).
