This was published 4 years ago
Sharpshooter gunning for glory after just missing mark in previous starts
By Ray Hickson
There are no guarantees in racing, but lightly raced colt Sharpshooter won’t have a better opportunity to break through for a maiden win at Gosford on Thursday.
The two-year-old, from the powerful Peter and Paul Snowden stable, takes on some moderately performed older horses in the Tooheys Plate (1200m) in by far the easiest assignment he’s had in his three starts so far.
Sharpshooter comes from the powerful Peter (above) and Paul Snowden stable.Credit: Getty
On debut, Sharpshooter bumped into the flying Anders at Wyong. He finished second, albeit beaten by six lengths, and that horse progressed to win in the city.
His next two starts have come on the Kensington track in wet conditions. He rode the speed before succumbing late into third behind the promising Equation before a last-start third behind Gunnamatta and Jimmy’s Dream. There he led until just outside the 100m and, when headed, boxed on gamely to be beaten by less than a length.
Tim Clark takes over the ride at Gosford on Sharpshooter and can be expected to take up the running or at least sit outside the leader. From there he’ll have his chance.
If there’s a danger it will come from his own generation. Mark Newnham’s two-year-old Canton Kid is looking close to a win after two attempts.
Canton Kid endured a hard run at Gosford on June 30 but didn’t give up the fight as he kept coming at Oscar Zulu to be beaten less than half a length.
He has the advantage of apprentice Tyler Schiller’s claim, so gets in with 53.5kg. That makes him dangerous.
Elsewhere on the eight race program, the Gary Portelli trained Ruby Tuesday appears to be in a race where she should be very competitive.
Ruby Tuesday rises 2kg on her win two starts back in an identical race to her assignment in the Tab.com.au Handicap (1200m).
The filly found herself too far back in her second-up run at Kensington but ran on well, expect her to settle closer from a kind draw and be hard to hold out.
Supplied by Racing NSW.
Full form and race replays available at racingnsw.com.au