3 minute read

Snitzel colt shines at Randwick-Kensington.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained In The Congo (2 c ex Via Africa by Var) got off the mark at the first attempt when he took out a race over 1100 metres at Randwick-Kensington on Wednesday. 

The two-year-old son of Snitzel (Redoute's Choice) stayed on well to beat Verne - who is also by Arrowfield Stud-based sire - by half a length, while Prasiolite (Written Tycoon) by two and three-quarter lengths. 

"(It's) really nice to see him do that, a deserving win for him," Bott said.

"(He) had to do plenty of work early, things didn't necessarily go to plan for him he had to do a bit to cross and then kicked pretty clear in the straight after doing that.

"He's done a lot of work; he's coping very well. He's a nice, tough colt for us going forward."

In The Congo is nominated for the BRC Sires' Produce Stakes (Gr 2, 1400m) and JJ Atkins (Gr 1, 1600m) at the Queensland winter carnival, but whether Waterhouse and Bott send the two-year-old north is yet to be determined.

"He has a few nominations for the features in Queensland," Bott said.

"Whether we look to going deep into the campaign there or look to give him a freshen up now and look to the spring or whether he needs another race to season him a little bit more for those tough races in the spring.

"We'll let the dust settle today before having a chat with Henry and making a few decisions."

The colt was purchased for $350,000 by China Horse Club and Newgate Bloodstock at the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale and he is the second winner out of dual Grade 1 winner Via Africa (Var). 

In The Congo becomes the 12th juvenile winner for Snitzel and they are headed by two stakes winners; Group 1 winner Sword Of State and Group 2 scorer Four Moves Ahead. The son of Redoute's Choice (Danehill) will stand the 2021 season for a fee of $165,000 (inc GST).