Blinkers do the trick for French Snitzel

A sharp rise in distance and the addition of blinkers saw French Snitzel score his maiden victory at Kyneton on Friday at his third race start.

Taken straight to the front by jockey Daniel Moor, French Snitzel was challenged a couple of times in running of the six-horse event before holding off the well-fancied Igitur in the run to the line of the 1850m maiden event, paying the juicy odds of $14 on the Vic TAB.

"Danny told me that he would improve with the blinkers on and due to the step up in trip, and he has a future as he raced a bit keenly and didn't have it all on his terms today," a victorious Moor said.

"He also showed a lot of fight to win when he was challenged in the straight and if he can learn to relax he is a stayer with good promise."

Trainer Danny O'Brien, who's 2013 Cox Plate and 2014 Australian Guineas winner Shamus Award was also by gun sire Snitzel, said he was pleased with the win at the three-year-old gelding's third race start.

"Running him over 1100m and 1300m probably wasn't fair on the horse at his first two starts as was always going to better suited at distances above a mile, but you do have to start somewhere," O'Brien said.

"I expect he will gain confidence from today, which will hold him in good stead as he steps up in class."

O'Brien was also very complimentary of Moor's ride.

"Daniel is in very good form on our horses as he has ridden three winners in the past fortnight for us.

"He rode this bloke a treat as he doesn't have a big turn of foot and needs to build into the race so making use of his good break from the gates was very astute."

Pic by Racing Photos