The adage that one shouldn’t believe everything they read holds true in many situations, and this was certainly the case with Nitro.
While the stewards’ report indicated that the last start beaten favourite’s ‘manners’ hindered a better performance, trainer Peter Snowden clarified the situation regarding the colt’s fourth-place finish at Randwick over 1400m on June 6.
“There is nothing wrong with his manners, he’s a perfect gentleman,” Snowden stated.
“He had head gear and he pulled. All the talk was that we had him up close, we tried that and all he did was pull the whole way. That is not like him and there was a lot of merit in the run.”
The promising three-year-old is slated to compete in the Schweppes Handicap (1600m) at Randwick this Saturday, where he is the $3 favourite with leading Aussie betting sites. Tommy Berry will be in the saddle for the first time on race day, having previously partnered the son of Deep Field in two barrier trials before his winning debut.
“The visors have come off him and we’ve put the winkers on just to make him focus,” Snowden added.
“He’s a lazy horse at home so just so he doesn’t switch off too much but certainly not to be pulling like last time. On the day he just pulled a bit, that’s all.”
Snowden also has Xidaki returning from an extended spell in the Cactus Imaging Handicap (1200m). The five-year-old gelding is being aimed at a trip north for the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at Sunshine Coast on July 4.
The blinkers are being removed from the five-year-old gelding, who makes his first appearance on the track since January 10.
“He’s a very consistent horse but just last few preps have been just below that he normally does,” Snowden remarked.
“So, I thought a good long spell might just bring back to his straps. I’ve been happy with his two trials but it does take a while to get them up to peak fitness after a long long break. Unfortunately he has drawn a really bad gate (15) but I just want him to show us that eagerness and keenness that he had.”
For those looking to back Nitro in the Schweppes Handicap, consider exploring the latest racing odds available at Australian betting sites.