Moree preview: Trainer Wayne brown is hoping Snatchreilly’s class can overcome his big weight to land a breakthrough win

Tamworth trainer Wayne Brown in concerned about Snatchreilly’s big handicap and is relying on the gelding’s class advantage to help get him home.

Snatchreilly is chasing his first win for his new connections when he heads to Moree. Picture: Bradley Photos

While Snatchreilly is clearly the class runner with his strong form lines, trainer Wayne Brown remains a little reserved about the gelding’s chances at Moree.

Snatchreilly was an impressive maiden winner by over three lengths at Newcastle last May also has placings at Gosford, Hawkesbury and Wyong to his name.

Making his debut for Brown at Walcha on February 7, the son of Trapeze Artist continued his consistent form with a second behind Electric Evie.

Courtesy of that form, has a benchmark rating of 64 and was allocated 63kg in the President’s Class 1 Handicap (1300m) although Brown has elected to claim 2kg with apprentice Jack Baker.

“He comes into this race pretty well class wise but when you drop back in grade, naturally the weigh rises,” said Brown.

Race 2 - Super Maiden Plate 1000m
WINNER - Single Benefactor
TRAINER - @cmaherracing
JOCKEY - @LouiseDay3pic.twitter.com/hO8jQ2QebZ

— Gosford Race Club (@gosford_races) March 16, 2024

The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!

“We opted to go this way rather than the harder Benchmark 66 at Tamworth on Sunday.

“He has taken improvement from his first-up run but he does have to carry a lot of weight. That’s the big draw back with him.”

Snatchreilly was purchased by a stable client from Inglis Digital in late November for $27,500; a bargain on his $600,000 price tag as a yearling.

“One of my clients purchased. He wanted a horse he could race at the provincials,” he said.

“He thought he wouldn’t be a bad buy and I think he will prove that as well.

“He’s well bred and is a nice type of horse.

“After this run, we will head back to the provincials with him.”

Stablemate Zougo Boss didn’t perform to expectations when he beat just one runner home at Quirindi two weeks ago but Brown feels he is capable of turning that around in the Mehi Maiden Plate (1400m).

Prior to that run, he finished runner-up behind Take It All at his home track of Tamworth on February 1.

“He was disappointing at Quirindi last start but the track just didn’t suit. He just didn’t handle it at all,” Brown said.

“I have changed a bit of gear on him and he can certainly be an improver. That’s what we are looking for from him anyway.

“He has got ability and can run a cheeky race.

“He will be better next campaign. He came to me midway through his preparation which is always hard to try and build upon.

Apprentice Jack Baker will ride Snatchreilly at Moree. Picture: Bradley Photos

“He will go to the paddock after this run and start again. We’ll see if we can build something from there.”

Brown has his eye on a race in the coming weeks for Ancient Gypsy but needs to get a run under the gelding’s belt first.

While he would have liked to have found a 1400m race, the Secretary’s Country Boosted Benchmark 66 Handicap (1200m) is the best option he could find.

“This is far too short for him. He’s looking for 1800m or 2000m. This is a start off run for him,” he said.

“He’s a dour sort of fellow and while he is feeling well, he’s just not the type of horse who can sprint well over these short trips fresh.

“There’s a race over a mile coming up at Coonamble in the next couple of weeks which will suit him that we have targeted.”

Brown has two other runners for the day with Ay Bee Are in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (1600m) and Cabral in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (950m).

“Ay Bee Are’s his last run was a marked improvement. He got caught wide early and was used up,” he said.

“I think there’s a race in him in the next two or three starts.

“Cabral has been disappointing this prep and needs to turn it around or he’ll go back to the paddock.”

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Trainer Melissa Dennett is hoping Winged hasn’t taken a dent to his confidence from a luckless run last start when he backs up at Moree.

Winged was racing behind the leader and was held up into the straight behind being checked a losing a couple of lengths when finishing ninth to Puzzle Designer at Armidale last Thursday.

Prior to that, he placed in his first three runs for Dennett since coming from Victoria.

“He needs momentum as he’s a big striding horse who likes to work into his races but unfortunately, he just could do that the other day,” said Dennett.

“Shannen (Llewellyn) was unable to work into the race when she needed to coming down the hill while everyone else was making their moves.

“As she tried to come to the outside of the leader, she got bumped back in and the horse lost a couple of lengths.

“He has just had a preparation like that where he has been unlucky.

Winged (outside) is looking to break through for a deserved win at Moree. Picture: Bradley Photos

“He has done well with three placings but he is overdue for some luck.”

Dennett has found an ideal race for the four-year-old son of Pride Of Dubai in the Class 1 Handicap (1300m) where he has drawn barrier 5.

“He’s in the right race this week and I think he is better off drawn there where he can get a bit of room and make his run when he needs to,” she said.

“He will probably have a spell after this run and we will bring him back for the winter when the tracks will be softer so hopefully he can go out a winner.”

Dennett’s other runner for the day is Super Sioux who resumes in the Benchmark 58 Handicap (950m) where she has drawn wide in barrier 10.

The speedy mare won two of her four runs last campaign including an all-the-way first-up victory over 1000m at Tamworth in June.

She trialled at Tamworth back on January 22 when fourth to Upwardly Mobile but has need a bit more time to get to the races.

“She has taken a while to come to hand this prep,” she said.

“She has had a jumpout since that trial and has improved but she has found herself in a pretty strong benchmark 58.

“She has also drawn awkwardly with a lot of speed inside her.

“She’s one dimensional and doesn’t know how to contain her speed but if she can get the right run, she will be thereabouts in the finish.”