Australia: Snapper brings speed to handicap at Sandown

Snapper will race outside of his age group for the first time in a five-furlong handicap at Sandown Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia, on Wednesday. Snapper’s form against 3-year-olds in February and March leaves him well positioned to make a mark in a new stage of his career.

Trained by Michael Moroney, Snapper has won 2 of 8 starts, with the wins in consecutive outings at six furlongs at Moonee Valley earlier this year – a maiden race on Feb. 5 and a handicap on Feb. 26. In both races, Snapper took his customary position on the lead.

Following those wins, Snapper was second by three-quarters of a length in a handicap at Moonee Valley in March, and last of 14 in a handicap at 5 1/2 furlongs at Caulfield Racecourse in April in his latest outing.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

A 4-year-old gelding, Snapper won the maiden race after a five-month layoff, suggesting he can be effective in this race after this recent break.

The Sandown sprint handicap drew a field of nine led by Whipcracker Way. Snapper will be well backed, along with Diamonds Inthe Sky.

Whipcracker Way has won 5 of 10 starts, but is winless in his last two starts, since winning a five-furlong handicap at Sandown on May 1. This will be Whipcracker Way’s first start since a second by 1 3/4 lengths to Pintoff in a six-furlong handicap at Caulfield on June 26. Pintoff returned to win the Regal Roller Stakes at six furlongs at Caulfield on Aug. 14.

Whipcracker Way runs from off the pace, while Diamonds Inthe Sky is quick enough to lead, which could pose problems for Snapper.

A 4-year-old filly, Diamonds Inthe Sky has won 3 of 10 starts, but is winless in four appearances since winning a handicap against a slightly lower class of handicap runners at 5 1/2 furlongs at Caulfield in June.

Diamonds Inthe Sky was fifth in the Group 3 Cockram Stakes at six furlongs at Caulfield on Aug. 28, beaten about 2 1/3 lengths by the five-time stakes winner Probabeel after setting the pace.

Sandown has an eight-race program that begins at 11 p.m., Eastern, or 8 p.m., Pacific, on Tuesday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.