Snitzel colt Nikitas, a half-brother to Oaks winner Jameka, blew open the
Magic Millions Classic picture with a classy debut win at Doomben on Saturday.
His next race will be the Gr3 BJ McLachlan Stakes at Doomben on Boxing Day before the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast on January 9.
Nikitas is trained by Kelso Wood and the trainer has compared the youngster to his former Gr1 winner Sizzling.
"Nikitas is a very good horse. We didn't want to lead with him but Michael Cahill went to the lead and he was just too good for them.
“He reminds me of Sizzling. I think he will eventually be a 1600m horse," Wood said.
A month ago Wood lost another of his Magic Millions 2YO Classic hopefuls when Criquette broke down.
Criquette had been among the Magic Millions favourites after an easy Doomben win but Nikitas is now high in the betting after beating Mishani Silva by almost five lengths.
Nikitas, a Victorian-bred half-brother to Gr1 VRC Oaks winner Jameka is owned by a syndicate including Sizzling's owners David Devine and Neville Morgan.
They paid
$280,000 for him as a yearling.
Wood has won the Magic Millions Classic previously with Real Surreal in 2013.
Nikitas (Snitzel x Mine Game by General Nediym) was bred by Gilgai Farm owner Rick Jamieson.
Snitzel is the outstanding son of Redoute's Choice saw his service fee increase in 2015 to $88,000.
Gai Waterhouse is the best trainer of his progeny to date with 17 runners for 13 winners including this calendar year training 2 Gr1 winners by the sire in WANDJINA and SWEET IDEA.
Dynamic Syndications have Sold 19 of 20 Shares in a Super Colt by SNITZEL from TYCOON JOY making him the half-brother to the Gai Waterhouse trained 3 time Gr1 winner BENTLEY BISCUIT.
We have on offer the 20th and final share at $9,475. He represents a wonderful opportunity to race at the big black type races and as a result is a genuine stallion prospect.