Promising juvenile PALAZZO SPIRIT cemented a birth in the MAGIC MILLIONS 2YO CLASSIC with his inaugural stakes triumph in the PHELAN READY of 1000m at Eagle Farm Saturday. Then less than half an hour later, game mare SNIPPY FOX made it two from two this prep with a dominant display in the 1200m BM88 at Randwick.
The dual state double maintains the victorious momentum enjoyed by the Proven team in the first half of the 21-22 Season. There’ve been 28 trips to the winner’s stall since August 1, three of which have been in black type races.
The day kicked off in fine style when PALAZZO SPIRIT kept his unbeaten record intact. Beginning brilliantly from a wide gate, the SPIRIT OF BOOM colt travelled sweetly at the leader’s wheel before forging clear halfway down the straight and clinging on to win by a neck.
“When I pressed the button he let down but he just floats with nothing to chase,” revealed rider Baylee Nothdurft after the race.
How much the colt actually has left in the tank remains to be seen but trainers Steve O’Dea and Matt Hoysted are now in the happy position of choosing the most beneficial pathway in the five remaining weeks to Magic Millions day on January 15 next year.
Bonny mare SNIPPY FOX provided the second leg of the Proven double, charging away from her rivals at Randwick in a career peak performance at a windblown Randwick, delighting her many owners.
Recording her 6th win from 17 starts, the daughter of FOXWEDGE was the entrée in a memorable afternoon for trainer Joe Pride.
SNIPPY FOX was purchased for just $35k at the 2018 Inglis Classic Yearling Sale and has already amassed $222k in prizemoney.
In the GROUP 2 VILLIERS, a couple of races later, Pride saddled the accomplished miler Brutality as well as the PROVEN galloper STOCKMAN, better known over longer trips. The former duly got the money (the lion’s share of $750k!) whilst STOCKMAN ran an eye-catching 4th, just finding the drying ground and wide gate a little sharp. The rise in trip to 2000m in the Group 3 Summer Cup on Boxing Day looks tailor made for the TAVISTOCK 5YO.
Main photo: Michael McInally