Matias has entered the Queensland Derby discussion thanks to his commanding success in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m).
This came just 35 minutes on from his stablemate Snitzel Dancer’s win in the Group 3 Carr Stakes.
Prior to his stud career at Arrowfield, Ryan had Snitzel capture the Oakleigh Plate; there, the stallion excelled, claiming four Australian Sires Premierships and producing 27 individual Group 1 winners, three of whom won the Golden Slipper.
Snitzel died last year aged 22, but with Matias and Snitzel Dancer, he is set for a fifth Sires title this season, reaching 15 individual stakes winners (others max 8), progeny prize money over $20.5 million, $4 million ahead of 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.”
As the $2.70 market elect, Matias became Snitzel’s newest stakes victor with a lengthier-than-expected margin in the Frank Packer Plate over Providence ($7.50), Pictor ($13) third by a half-length.
The trainer announced Matias heads to the Queensland Derby, alongside Snitzel Dancer targeting the Queensland Oaks in Brisbane’s winter three-year-old carnival.
“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.”
Ryan hailed jockey Nash Rawiller’s performance aboard Matias as “a beautiful ride.”
Matias exhibited solid staying power according to Rawiller in taking 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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