Dubbo trainer Kody Nestor has declared Sneak Preview a perfect Country Championships contender horse after his Highway Handicap win at Kembla Grange.
Sent out at $4.80 in Saturda’s 1600m-race, the four-year-old, ridden by by Tim Clark, bolted to the lead at the 300m and held off a late charge from $31 chance Clergyman to win by a half-length.
Sneak Preview has had his troubles with injuries, suffering a minor leg fracture as a three-year-old after ending up at Nestor’s stable from two previous trainers.
But he returned to racing in September and continued to build a stellar record on Saturday with his fourth win from eight career starts.
“He had a little injury there last year,” Nestor said.
“We gave him plenty of time to get over it and we’re reaping the rewards now.”
Nestor now intends to give the gelding a spell before targeting the Country Championships qualifier at Coonamble on March 15.
“That’s been our aim for a while,” he said.
“He’ll go for a three-week freshen-up now. Probably have a trial or a start and then straight into the heat.
“If he happens to make it through to the final, he’ll be cherry ripe.”
Nestor said there were “three or four” challengers he is wary of for that regional heat but backed his charge in ahead of the final at Randwick on April 11.
“Most of the horses that’ll be named there haven’t popped up yet,” he said.
“They’d be starting their preparations now.
“But he’s got a good record, he can get distance, so he’s a perfect Championships horse.”
