Saturday's Group III Eskimo Prince Stakes (1200m) at Randwick was chockful of promising three-year-olds but ultimately the Gerald Ryan-trained Spill The Beans looked to be in a class of his own.
With Tim Clark in the saddle the son of Snitzel carried the Arrowfield colours to a decisive one and three-quarter length victory over the Kris Lees-trained Le Romain (Hard Spun) with Chris Waller's Counterattack (Redoute's Choice) a length back in third. (photo Steve Hart)
Dual Group I winner Pride Of Dubai (Street Cry) disappointed in his first run back since winning the ATC Sires' Produce Stakes 10 months ago, weakening to finish second last.
In earning his first stakes success, Spill The Beans advances his overall record to 3 wins, 1 second and 1 third from 6 starts for earnings of $219,000.
For a son of leading stallion Snitzel, Spill The Beans had a comparatively modest $60,000 reserve when Arrowfield consigned him to the 2014 Inglis Classic Yearling sale.
When Spill The Beans made a winning career debut Gosford at the expense of the $4 million colt Emaratee, Ryan revealed how he came to be training the son of Snitzel.
"Arrowfield couldn't get a bid on him at the Inglis Classic Sale," Ryan said.
"He had some x-ray issues and needed time."
Runner-up to Counterattack in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes at Randwick last October Spill The Beans has obviously made
"We've whacked the blinkers on him and it's turned him into a totally different horse," Ryan said.
"I probably ran him in the wrong race on Melbourne Cup day.
"We ran him in a 1000m race up the straight where he drew out wide and the track was off.
"We put him away then and specifically set him for this race and any races here through the carnival because of his ability to handle wet tracks.
"I think he'll get 1400m. Class-wise I think we'll just keep placing him well."
He is the second foal of the winning Falbrav mare Miss Dodwell, a half-sister to Group III winner Yammer (Bellotto) and Listed winner Blab (Flying Spur), the dam of Group 1 ATC Flight Stakes winner Speak Fondly (Northern Meteor) and Group II winners Wild and Proud (Snowland)
Miss Dodwell's dam Don't Stop Talking (Ahonoora) is a half-sister to Australian Horse of The Year Bounding Away (Biscay).
Miss Dodwell has an unraced 2yo filly by Not A Single Doubt named Kenedna, a yearling filly by Smart Missile, which will be consigned to the Premier Yearling sale, and a filly foal by the same stallion. She was bred back to Snitzel last spring.
Spill The Beans becomes the 34th stakes-winner for Snitzel who has 8 catalogued for the Inglis Classic Yearling sale, 24 at the Premier Yearling sale and 30 heading to Easter.
