Arrowfield Stud stallion Snitzel (Redoute’s Choice – Snippets’ Lass, by Snippets) became a sire of a Group 1 winner for the first time when Sizzling (Snitzel – Admirelle, by General Nediym) prevailed narrowly in the Group 1 T J Smith Classic (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Sizzling won the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) and the BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) in brilliant fashion at his past two starts but had to dig deep to score in the T J Smith Classic.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Kabayan looked set to give Coolmore Stud resident Haradasun (Fusaichi Pegasus – Circles Of Gold, by Marscay) his first Group 1 winner but Sizzling showed plenty of fight to score.
“He took a long time to get there,” Sizzling’s trainer Kelso Wood said. “But he didn’t lay down, he wouldn’t lay down.
“I was really worried about 100 metres out and wasn’t sure if he would get there but somehow he found another gear. He’s a marvellous horse and he’s got a great disposition.”
John Foote Bloodstock paid $260,000 for Sizzling at the 2011 Magic Millions Yearling Sale. The colt has won five of his eight starts and earned more than $790,000 in prizemoney.
Interestingly, Sizzling and Saturday’s other juvenile stakes winner at Eagle Farm, Hoss Amor, share the same third dam – the Sydney winning Without Fear mare Estate Label.