Racing
Miss shooting for win on Sniper’s anniversary
Railway Stakes Day at Ascot revies fond memories for Tracey Bartley, and he is hoping Titanium Miss can add some new ones.
Titanium Miss will be chasing a timely win for Tracey Bartley at the showcase Kembla Grange meeting, almost 16 years to the day since his former star Sniper's Bullet's triumphed in the Railway Stakes in Perth.
The multiple Group 1 winner was a dream horse for the provincial trainer and remains the last thoroughbred to capture the Railway-Kingston Town Stakes double, a feat Bartley was recently reminded of thanks to some thorough dusting from his cleaner.
Bartley had recordings of Sniper's Bullet's wins put on a disc, which was sitting in his DVD player, all but forgotten.
"A fortnight ago, the cleaner bumped it, so I sat down and watched both races," Bartley said.
"That was my reminisce, a couple of weeks ago.
"What a great horse. I don't know when the last Sydney horse actually went and won both races."
Titanium Miss might not be in the same league as Sniper's Bullet, but she has been a solid performer for the stable and Jason Collett sticks with her in Saturday's Carlton Dry 3.5 Handicap (1200m) at Kembla after partnering her to a fifth at Canterbury last Friday.
The mare wanted to get on with the job under lights, but Collett restrained her to take a sit and told Bartley that in hindsight, he would have allowed her to stride.
Trainer and jockey are hoping the eight-day turnaround will subdue her manners, although Bartley isn't afraid to see Titanium Miss lead.
"When I asked Jase about backing her up, he said, 'I probably would. It might take the freshness off her a little bit'," Bartley said.
"We will press forward, and I don't care if she leads.
"She's got really good ability, and she won't disgrace herself with the light weight and good barrier.
"She has thrived. She has licked the bin all week so we're really keen to run her."
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