Sneak A Peek is set to return to racing in the Booralite Park Handicap at Sandown tomorrow and trainer Peter Moody is happy with the condition of the imported stayer.
Sneak A Peek is still chasing a maiden race win in Australia after arriving for a Caulfield Cup campaign in 2012. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Sneak A Peek has not been seen at the races since he finished fifth behind Westsouthwest at Caulfield on April 12, but he has impressed Moody with his trackwork heading into his return to racing.
Moody told Racing Ahead he expects the Booralite Park Handicap over a mile this weekend will be too short for Sneak A Peak, but he is desperately hoping that the Doyen gelding can finally secure a maiden race win in Australia when he gets an opportunity over a more suitable trip this preparation.
“He is going super, but he will want further,” Moody said.
“He wouldn’t be the roughest place chance, but he is looking for a mile and a quarter.
“To win a race would be fine seeing that he has been here for two years and he hasn’t won one yet.”
Sneak A Peek made his racing debut in Italy in 2010 and he defeated Jakkalberry to win the Group 2 Poremio Federico Tesio (2211m) in 2011 before he was purchased by the Huddy family and brought to Australia for a cups campaign in 2012.
The gelding started his Australian racing career with promising performances in the National Jockey Celebration Day Handicap (1400m), the Group 2 Dato’ Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) before finishing a credible eighth in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), but connections opted not to press on to the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Sneak A Peek missed the 2013 Autumn Racing Carnival due to a cut leg, but returned to racing in the spring and finished fifth in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) and fourth in the Group 2 Hill Stakes (2000m) before he produced his best performance since arriving in Australia when third in the Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m).
He was beaten as a short-priced favourite in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) and connections opted to geld the six-year-old, but he failed to fire in his three race starts during an autumn campaign and was sent back to the spelling paddock.
Sneak A Peek is currently available at Booralite Park Handicap odds of $31, while Zabisco ($2.90) is currently favourite from Eximius ($5), Backstedt ($5), Jacquinot Bay ($5.50) and Sweet As Bro ($6).
