Snitzkraft keeps to own age for Ipswich

Promising three-year-old Snitzkraft makes his return to racing against his own age group at Ipswich on Saturday.

The Kelso Wood-Patricia Gesler training combination had nominated Snitzkraft for two races but will keep the colt for the Daimler Trucks Brisbane Handicap.

Snitzkraft will be having his first start since Wood and Gesler called off his winter carnival campaign after he ran sixth in the Group Two Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben on May 13.

“He just wasn’t handling the track conditions at the time and we could see no point in going on,” Wood said.

Snitzkraft has a big wrap on him after winning two of his early starts including the $125,000 Sunshine Coast Two-Year-Old Classic (1200m) in January.

After that run Snitzkraft was being touted as a possible Golden Slipper runner but was instead sent for a spell with the winter in mind.

Snitzkraft is by Snitzel, the sire of the Wood-trained 2012 Group One JJ Atkins Stakes winner Sizzling.

Wood is on the comeback trail himself after a lengthy stint in hospital until recently.

“I had a couple of operations and then contracted pneumonia and it was touch and go,” he said.

Robbie Fradd will be having his first ride on Snitzkraft who will start from barrier one.

Snitzkraft is nominated for the $400,000 Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield on October 18 but no decision will be made on a trip until after Saturday.