Top-class  mare Snitzerland joined fellow Inglis graduate Black Caviar on the G1 VRC Lightning Stakes honour-roll at Flemington on Saturday.

The prestigious race was renamed the ‘Black Caviar Lightning Stakes’ this year in honour of the undefeated mare’s hat-trick from 2011 to 2013.  Other Inglis graduates to win the Lightning in recent years include Choisir, Takeover Target and Fastnet Rock.

Snitzerland (4m Snitzel – Monte Rosa by Fraar) is part-owned by Neil Werrett and he was a member of the syndicate that raced Black Caviar.  Both mares were purchased from the Inglis Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale.

“It’s been quite a day,” Werrett admitted.  “To name a race after Black Caviar then to win it is a great thrill.”

Werrett and Steve McCann purchased a share in Snitzerland on the advice of Kitchwin Hills manager Mick Malone after she made $125,000 at the 2011 Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale.  “Mick bought her for me and Gerald Ryan has managed her very well,” Werrett added.  “People forget that she ran second in a Golden Slipper but to win the Lightning is just brilliant.”

Her sire Snitzel leads the current Australian sires’ premiership and Snitzerland’s breakthrough at Group 1 level has lifted her bank balance to $1.87 million.

Snitzel is represented by 18 yearlings at the Inglis Melbourne Premier Sale and another 17 at the Inglis Easter Sale.  Arrowfield Stud will offer Snitzerland’s brother as Lot 118 at Newmarket.