Sniper’s Bullet will be an acceptor for Saturday’s Summer Sizzler at Canterbury but trainer Tracey Bartley is yet to commit to a start for the multiple Group One winner.
After seeing the initial six nominations for the 1250m handicap Bartley decided to put in a late entry for eight-year-old Sniper’s Bullet with Canberra-based Happy Finish also an addition.
News Alert has been given topweight with 62kg while Sniper’s Bullet has one kilogram less.
“We’ll accept in the morning and then weigh things up from there,” Bartley said.
“Originally I bypassed this race and said we’d go straight to the Expressway Stakes (on February 11) but then I had a look last night and knew they would have to weight him back off News Alert so I threw him in.
“I’ll just consider my options now.”
Sniper’s Bullet returned from a lengthy spell with an encouraging third to Unanimously and Eight Bills in the Listed Canterbury Classic (1100m) under lights on January 13.
The three-time Group One winner powered to the line from last in the seven-horse field and was doing his best work late which delighted Bartley.
“He showed that old bit of zest again,” the trainer said.
“If he runs on Saturday we’ll just ride him quiet again.”
Bartley said if he opted against starting the gelding this weekend he would continue with the original plan to run next in the Group Two Expressway (1200m) at weight-for-age.
The veteran galloper has continued to please Bartley since his slashing first-up effort.
“He’s terrific,” Bartley said.
“He’s done a lot of swimming and had a little gallop this morning. It was just his second bit of fast work since he raced but he’s been swimming on every slow day and I’m very happy with him.”
Sniper’s Bullet’s brother Slick Sniper is set to take his place in Saturday’s 1550m Benchmark-85.
“I was tickled pink with his first-up run and he’s done well since,” Bartley said.
Slick Sniper was beaten two lengths over 1300m at Rosehill on January 14 when fifth behind the Chris Waller-trained Key West.
AAP TURF
