Trainer Matthew Dunn is expecting consistent sprinter Snitz to make a positive start to his campaign at Rosehill on Saturday as he sets his sights on a series of stakes races through the summer.
Trainer Mathew Dunn (Pic: Grant Guy)
The six-year-old hasn’t raced since his unplaced effort in the Ramornie Handicap and Dunn said he’s bounced back from a disappointing end to that prep and is looking forward to the Listed $140,000 Schweppes Starlight Stakes (1100m).
“He’s done everything right, he’s coming along really well and his trial was strong,’’ Dunn said.
“By the time he got to Grafton and the Ramornie he was gone, he didn’t pull up any good and really felt it. He’d had a pretty long prep and did a good job but he’s bounced back really well this time.
“He’s not Magic Millions eligible so he’ll race right through in Sydney.”
Snitz has won nine of his 27 starts to date including the Listed Takeover Target back in May while a month later he was beaten 0.7 lengths by TAB Everest winner Classique Legend in the Bob Charley.
He’s likely to be aimed at races like the Listed Razor Sharp (1200m) at Randwick on December 12 and the Listed Christmas Classic (1200m) at Canterbury on January 1.
Nash Rawiller rides the gelding on Saturday and Dunn’s confidence in the horse was bolstered by a surprise rap from the jockey following his second in a 900m trial two weeks ago.
“Nash was rapt with him, he pulled me up at Hawkesbury races the other day and said ‘gee that horse went really well, he’s come back in good shape’, so I hope he’s a good judge and I’m sure he is,’’ Dunn said.
“We’ve always looked after him, he’s never been overtaxed and we’ve made sure he’s had plenty of time between runs so long term it is working out for him.
“He’s a natural on speed horse so the inside gate probably helps a bit.”
Snitz, who opened $11 and was quickly into $8 with TAB on Wednesday, worked with stablemate Lady Banff earlier this week and Dunn said the work told him all he needed to know about both horses.
Lady Banff kicks off a Magic Millions preparation in the Iron Jack Handicap (1100m) and while she impressed him a little more in that work he warns she has plenty of upside.
“She’s not completely wound up just yet because we’re probably targeting the three-year-old race with her so we’ve left a bit in the tank,’’ he said.
“They worked strong on Tuesday, they are both quick and she normally works a little bit better than him so that’s normal for them.’’
The filly is unbeaten first-up and the beaten margin from her last start at Rosehill on July 25 is misleading as she had to be basically pulled out of it due to a fall.
She ran a close second in a trial on the same day as Snitz and James McDonald takes the ride.
“She’s fit enough especially from the draw where she’ll do no work,’’ he said.
“I’m not sure where she gets to because she tricked me first-up last prep when she got back and ran home.”
While Snitz is sticking around in Sydney, Dunn said Lady Banff will head north following her resumption.
– Racing NSW
