The 2023 edition of the Standish Handicap (Group 3) was taken out by the Michael Moroney-trained Snapper on Saturday afternoon.
The 1100m feature saw the five-year-old by Power make every post a winner, with an outstanding front running ride from hoop Jye McNeil, who on his first Saturday back after a stint in Hong Kong found his first winner on return.
There was plenty of admirers for the well backed Snapper ($5) who was able to jump cleanly from barrier eight, before leading towards the near side running rail of the Flemington straight.
Snapper managed to hold off the fast finishing Rose Quartz ($4), who just ran out of time chasing down the leader after Snapper as Jye McNeil got some cheap sectionals early in the race before sprinting clear of his rivals.
The Standish saw the return of some key runners heading into the latter part of the summer racing season as well with Dawn Passage ($10) for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott running strongly into third. While Western Empire ($10) was making inroads late and should only improve with the run.
2023 Group 3 Standish Handicap Replay – Snapper
This isn't the first time we've seen Michael Moroney-trained gallopers find success down the Flemington straight course either, as punters will recall his success with now multiple Group 1 winner, Roch ‘N' Horse, winning the Champions Sprint back in November of 2022.
He now finds another Group feature at Flemington with Snapper who was victorious on the same day over the 1100m in a BM80.
Stable Representative Glen Thompson spoke post-race about his progressive gelding and his improvement this preparation.
“It was a good effort, he was a little bit below par last time – He was probably a little bit underdone, but had him spot on today. He worked enormous on Tuesday, and we've seen the best of him today,” said Thompson.
“He won three in a row last time, he's come back well this time. He's well above average and he's going to go through the grades and probably end up winning a better race than this.”
Jye McNeil spoke post-race about being able to dictate to his rivals early in the race after pre-race discussions with the stable. All this despite dropping his whip prior to the winning post.
“He found a good rhythm to allow us to do that. The stable obviously have been going really well and he was presented in great order today. They were a little concerned about the 1200m down the straight, so I always had it in the back of my mind not to feel for him too soon and end up dropping me whip and made a mess of it,” Said McNeil jokingly.
Jye McNeil spoke briefly on his return to racing in Australia as well.
“It's good to get a few rides and importantly get a win early on and hopefully everyone can realise I'm back and starting to fit in.”