Matias has thrust himself into contention for the Queensland Derby following his dominant performance in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m).
The victory occurred merely 35 minutes following the success of stablemate Snitzel Dancer in the Group 3 Carr Stakes.
Ryan prepared Snitzel to claim an Oakleigh Plate victory prior to the speedster heading to Arrowfield Stud, where he emerged as a breeding superstar, securing four Australian Sires Premierships along with 27 individual Group 1 victors, including three Golden Slipper champions.
Snitzel passed away at age 22 last year, yet he is poised to secure a fifth Australian Sires title, with Matias and Snitzel Dancer boosting the stallion’s individual stakes winners this season to 15 (compared to the next highest at 8), while his offspring have amassed over $20.5 million in prizemoney, exceeding The Autumn Sun by $4 million.
“Snitzel is just a freak of a horse,” said Ryan, who now trains in partnership with Sterling Alexiou.
“He was outstanding on the racetrack and a phenomenon at stud – and he’s still throwing stakes winners.”
The $2.70 favourite Matias marked Snitzel’s most recent stakes success by delivering a clear-cut victory in the Frank Packer Plate, prevailing by almost a length over Providence ($7.50), while Pictor ($13) finished a half-length further back in third.
Ryan has verified that Matias is now targeted at the Queensland Derby, linking up with Snitzel Dancer for the Queensland Oaks on the Brisbane three-year-old classics trail during the winter carnival.
“This race was the deciding point, whether he ticked the 2000m box,” Ryan said.
“I know he’s by Snitzel but his first three dams either won or ran a place in the Oaks.
“The Queensland Derby has always been the aim since he won the Grand Prix up there in December.
“I think we will run in the Rough Habit Plate. I know it’s a month between runs, I know he’s a big, gross horse but you can’t overwork him. Then it’ll be a fortnight into the Derby.”
Ryan commended jockey Nash Rawiller, labelling his ride on Matias as “a beautiful ride.”
Rawiller noted that Matias displayed true stamina to capture the Frank Packer Plate.
“I don’t know what time they ran (2m 02.43s) but it was a genuinely run race,” Rawiller said.
“My bloke was turned out to perfection. He’s been a horse that’s been building to this now for 12 months.
“You know, I think we just saw the furnished product, the sort of horse we thought he would be from day dot.
“Like I said, it was a genuinely run, staying-type race and he just thrived on that and he loved it.”
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