Three-year-old galloper Peppered Black will have one last chance to convince trainer Lawrie Mayfield-Smith he shouldn’t be gelded in Brisbane this weekend.

Peppered Black will compete in the Hidden Dragon @ Lyndhurst Handicap at Eagle farm in a last ditched attempt to salvage a potential stud career.

The three-year-old Falvelon colt has won two of his eight race starts, but that isn’t enough to save him from the chopping block.

“He goes really good but he’s not far off being cut,” Mayfield-Smith said.

“He’s not big. He’s only a little horse but he’s becoming `bully’ and it might be best to geld him and tip him out after Saturday for a quick break and bring him back for the winter.

“I’ll wait and see how he goes but that’s what I am leaning towards.”

Peppered Black was the first emergency in the Magic Millions 3YO Guineas last weekend, but failed to make the field.

The colt was purchased for $31,000 from the 2010 Magic Millions QTIS 600 Sale and has since won close to $60,000 in prize money.

His trainer believes he is a big chance to win this Saturday’s race after a lengthy spell that has seen him in the paddock since last September.

“That’s his best chance of winning first-up over 1200 metres,” Mayfield-Smith said.

“He won his first start on a bog track last year and I’m hoping the rain stays around until Saturday.”

Mayfield-Smith expects Peppered Black to be a formidable force in this year’s Brisbane Winter racing Carnival.

“I don’t think you’ll see the best of him until he gets to between a mile (1600m) and 2000 metres,” Mayfield-Smith said.

“He likes to settle early and come hard at the end of his races and I’ve always thought he’ll be better off when the races get a bit longer.”