TUESDAY: May 7, 2024: BLAKE Ryan upheld a family tradition when successful with debutante Apic Run at a rain-affected Goulburn meeting today.
The Hawkesbury trainer understandably was thrilled when the three-year-old gelding made a belated start to his racing career in the best possible manner, taking the Maiden Handicap (1000m) in very wet conditions.
The meeting was called off after only one more race was run.
Apic Run, a beautifully-bred son of Snitzel and the Group 1 winner Politeness, fetched $250,000 as a yearling.
Snitzel, a son of Redoute’s Choice, won seven races, including the 2006 Group 1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on a “Heavy 10” surface. It was his only start on that type or ground, but his stock are renowned wet trackers.
“Dad (leading Rosehill trainer Gerald Ryan) had Snitzel of course, and bred and trained the stallion’s first winner Intertidal (who won a 2YO Handicap, ridden by Chris Munce, at Rosehill Gardens in October, 2009),” Ryan said.
“Apic Run is the first Snitzel I have had, so it’s great to also win with him at his first start.”
Ryan’s clients Ravenswood Bloodstock purchased Apic Run at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter yearling sale after he had initially been passed in.
“Phil Pollicina negotiated with the vendor (Arrowfield Stud) and bought him for $250,000 and gave him to me to train,” Ryan said.
“Apic Run has been really immature, and that’s why it has taken so long to get him to the races.
“Even now as a rising four-year-old he is still learning.
”I wasn’t confident earlier on that he was going to make it going on his trackwork, but his trials were okay.
“I spoke with Dad going to Goulburn, and he made a good point about the number of Snitzels who have been ordinary trackworkers but won races.”
Whilst Jay Ford has partnered Apic Run in a number of trials, he had important commitments at Warwick Farm trials this morning, including riding Group 1 stablemates Think About It and Private Eye, and wasn’t able to go to Goulburn.
“I spoke with Mr Pollicina, and he was keen for Jeff Penza to take the ride, and it worked out well,” Ryan said.
“Jeff had Apic Run away smartly and kept him away from the inside and steered a wider course on the turn and in the straight.”
Penza’s experience was telling as Apic Run ($6.50), on seemingly better ground, ran down Zoustar filly Starlight Girl ($12), with whom he had shared the lead approaching the corner, and stayed nearer the inside rail down the running.
“Ravenswood Bloodstock has been a fantastic supporter of mine, and I have had seven runners for them and won six races,” Ryan said.
“It was terrific to win first-up with this horse for them.”