One to Watch – Scone

The provincial meeting run at Scone on Thursday produced a blue-blood three year-old Snitzel winner carrying the Darby Racing colours.

Trained by Gary Portelli, Retiro was up and running early last spring finishing sixth on debut behind Shaquero in the Group III ATC Breeders Plate.

Spelled after that race, Retiro did not reappear until striking a slow track when resuming to finish fifth in a midweek maiden at Randwick won by Brigantine, who goes around in the Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes this Saturday.

Sent out favourite for the 900m maiden, it proved little more than a barrier trial for the colt as he cruised away to win by more than two lengths.

Retiro was a $350,000 Magic Millions purchase for Darby Racing/De Burgh Equine from the Baramul Stud draft and is a half-brother to Group II placed Palazzo Vecchio.

He is the third winner from former top class Group II winning Encosta de Lago mare Palacio de Cristal, a daughter of Group I winner Crystal Palace, the full sister to triple Group I winner Naturalism.

Palacio de Cristal has not had a foal since Retiro, but appears to be in foal to Zoustar.

Retiro is the ninth new season winner for Snitzel, who stands at Arrowfield this spring at a fee of $165,000.