A jockey who won on Sniper’s Bullet long before he became a star has been recalled to the fray to help revive the Group One winner’s career.
Accomplished bush rider Mathew Cahill has been booked to partner Sniper’s Bullet when the rising eight-year-old is given his chance to rediscover winning form in the Civic Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday.
“Mathew was on him when he won at Dubbo at his second start as a two-year-old but the way things have worked that was the last time he rode him,” Wyong-based trainer Tracey Bartley said.
In the five years since, Sniper’s Bullet has graduated to the ranks of national high achiever with Group One wins in the Stradbroke Handicap (2007) and the 2009 Railway Stakes and Kingston Town Stakes in Perth.
While Sniper’s Bullet has banked more than $2.5 million in stakes, Cahill has continued to ply his trade around NSW country tracks with city-class talent.
“Maybe I’m clutching at straws going for a different jockey,” Bartley said.
“But we all know Mathew holds his own when he rides in town and maybe he can provide the spark. I don’t know.”
Sniper’s Bullet was 14th of 18 to Sincero in the Stradbroke Handicap when ridden by Michael Rodd at his last start but Bartley said it was impossible to make an accurate call on the merit of the run.
“Michael wasn’t disappointed at all,” Bartley said. “Once we drew wide it was always going to be an ask and as it turned out the horse had no luck.”
The Stradbroke was Sniper’s Bullet’s fifth unplaced run since he was beaten a nose by Rothera in a Group Three 1400m race on Caulfield Cup day.
In spite of Sniper’s Bullet’s modest record since, Bartley said the galloper had earned the right to prove himself in two Sydney winter starts before thoughts of retirement turned into a round table discussion with connections.
“I can’t find anything wrong him with … he’s not sore,” Bartley said.
“We’re hoping a drop in class is going to help him on Saturday and then in the Winter Stakes.
“I suppose if he doesn’t go any good then retirement is an option but I’ve been very happy with him since I brought him back from Brisbane.”
As a triple Group One winner, Sniper’s Bullet seems assured of being given automatic topweight, despite extended entries for Saturday’s $100,000 Listed race.
AAP TURF
