Setbacks have been a torment for the connections of Snippet Of Gold, but the talented sprinter is again heading in the right direction for the feature race at Wagga on Monday.
Snippet Of Gold has always had his share of ability and his race record of four wins from 17 starts could be even better if it wasn’t for knee and hoof issues, according to trainer Gary Colvin.
The five-year-old’s impressive whirlwind finishing victory at Wagga last time out showing that on his day, Snippet Of Gold is good enough to continue adding to his winning record.
Colvin feels the soft tracks and the step up to 1400 metres will suit Snippet Of Gold providing the leaders set a suitable speed.
“The way he hit the finish line last time suggest the 1400 metres will really suit him,” Colvin said. “It’s a bit of a jump in class to an open, but that is the grade where he has to race in in now.
"When he is on song and isn’t having any knee or hoof issues he is very consistent. The more the pace is on the better he goes.”
Snippet Of Gold has had two previous attempts at 1400 metres for a third and a fourth and is ideally drawn in barrier five. The gelding also drops 5kg on his last start victory to 55.5kg.
“I’m hoping he can do what he did last start and if he does he will be hard to beat,” Colvin said.
Snippet Of Gold is one of five runners for Colvin at his home track with his other main chances headed by The Chaplain and Zarvalante. The Chaplain has only raced twice in two-year-old company and will improve fitness-wise on his first-up fourth, according to Colvin.
“He ran a good race last start in a strong two-year-old. I expect him to be in the finish and he has shown he has a good future,” Colvin suggested. “He has to give away age to the others, but he is almost three and should be competitive.”
Zarvalante has had two starts since a minor throat operation and Colvin is expecting him to perform in the right grade after an improved last start fourth: “This is the type of race he should run well in,” he said.
View the final fields with full form & race replays for Wagga here