Strong Frank Packer Plate win boosts Matias for Queensland Derby

With a powerful victory in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m), Matias has positioned himself firmly in the Queensland Derby picture.

Stablemate Snitzel Dancer had triumphed in the Group 3 Carr Stakes only 35 minutes beforehand.

Snitzel, under Ryan's guidance, took out an Oakleigh Plate before retiring to Arrowfield Stud, transforming into a stud legend with four Australian Sires Premierships, 27 Group 1 winners individually, encompassing three Golden Slipper triumphs.

Last year, at 22 years old, Snitzel passed away, but a fifth Sires Premiership appears likely as Matias and Snitzel Dancer elevate his season's individual stakes winners to 15 (rival best is 8), with progeny earnings surpassing $20.5 million, a $4 million edge over The Autumn Sun.

"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.''

Matias, sent off as the $2.70 favourite, added to Snitzel's stakes tally via a solid win in the Frank Packer Plate, edging Providence ($7.50) by close to a length, with Pictor ($13) third, half a length adrift.

Matias is confirmed for the Queensland Derby by Ryan, teaming with Snitzel Dancer bound for the Queensland Oaks amid Brisbane's winter carnival three-year-old features.

"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."

The trainer applauded Nash Rawiller's jockey work on Matias, calling it "a beautiful ride.''

Rawiller commented on Matias proving his staying prowess in 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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