Wet Track Suits Bartley

Wednesday, 23 November 2011 05:15

The prospect of a wet track holds no fears for trainer Tracey Bartley who will take a team of two to Canterbury on Saturday.

The surface, considered the most durable in Sydney, was in the heavy range on Wednesday following 35mm of overnight rain.

Bartley's pair of Meghalaya and General's Sniper have both won on wet ground and Bartley believes a heavy track will particularly boost the chances of the former.

"She's got bush form so it might help her a bit if it's heavy," Bartley said.

Meghalaya has won three of her eight starts on country and provincial tracks, the most recent over 1200m at Port Macquarie on November 4.

Saturday's De Bortoli Wines Handicap (1250m) will be her toughest test but Bartley, who won the 2007 Group One Stradbroke Handicap with Sniper's Bullet, believes Meghalaya has the hallmarks of a city-class galloper.

"She runs good time, she's a big rangy filly and she should be competitive," he said.

General's Sniper will step out in the Canterbury BMW-Driving Strong Relationships Handicap (1550m).

She improved from an indifferent first-up showing to run a close third to Millenium Ruler over Saturday's distance at Canterbury last start.

"She was awful first-up but she ran into a lot of trouble," Bartley said.

"Second-up she was much better and she needed the run over the trip."

General's Sniper has had seven starts at Canterbury for two wins and two minor placings and has drawn ideally in barrier three.

"It's a good track for her, she's got a lovely draw," Bartley said.

"I'm not sure about the speed in the race but she will roll forward anyway."

Her half-brother and stablemate Sniper's Bullet has just returned to work after missing the Melbourne and Perth carnivals due to a hock injury.

A decision on his racing future will depend on how he shapes up but Bartley says one option being considered is giving him another stint with Melbourne trainer Robert Smerdon.

Smerdon prepared Sniper's Bullet for three starts in 2010, including a close second at Group Three level.