Snitzel Dancer's stakes win opens door to Queensland Oaks campaign

Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's belief in Snitzel Dancer was rewarded as the filly claimed her first stakes victory in the Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).

The trainer was puzzled by the filly's efforts in back-to-back Warwick Farm appearances that launched her season.

Yet, her dominant Hawkesbury performance prompted Ryan and Alexiou to enter the Carr Stakes.

"This filly shows us a lot at home so we couldn't work out what happened in those two Warwick Farm runs,'' Ryan said.

"It's possible she just doesn't like Warwick Farm because she was back to her best at Hawkesbury.

"I know she was big odds today but we were confident she would run very well. I told the owners she would finish top three.''

Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, the $21 shot Snitzel Dancer surged late to prevail by almost one length ahead of persistent Plaintiff ($2.15 favourite), who raced wide yet protected and held on for second narrowly, with Karinska ($7.50) checking in third, a half-length further back after traffic issues.

According to Ryan, Snitzel Dancer now merits inclusion in the stable's Brisbane winter carnival plans, with the Group 1 Queensland Oaks as the goal.

"We will go to perhaps the Guineas against the boys or the Bracelet on the Gold Coast, because I've always believed this filly will run 2000 metres.

"The Oaks is only 2200m, but we'll just see how she's going. We won't stretch her too far.

"It's good to see her live up to what she's shown all the way along."

Said McEvoy of Snitzel Dancer, she appears capable of further trips.

"She hit the line strongly late and will get 1600m at least,'' McEvoy said.

"I think she'll stay further because she's such a nice attitude. She'll keep developing and no doubt strengthen a bit more.

"If Gerald and Sterling want to head towards the Oaks, then it's worth a try because she's a promising filly who is only going to get better.''

Jockey Jordan Childs was impressed with Plaintiff, chasing win number five from five.

"She has gone extremely well,'' Childs said.

"We had a nice run in transit, got into the three wide moving line and travelled up like the winner. "She probably just didn't quicken up as good as she did the other day, being fresh. This was her first go 1400m I thought it was a good run."

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