Nitro's gear change expected to improve performance

It's often said that one shouldn't take everything at face value, a sentiment that rings true in many scenarios, including the recent performance of Nitro.

The official stewards' report suggested that the last-start favourite's 'manners' were detrimental to a better outcome. However, Peter Snowden was quick to provide a different perspective on the colt's fourth-place finish at Randwick over 1400m on June 6.

"There is nothing wrong with his manners, he's a perfect gentleman," Snowden commented.

"He had head gear and he pulled. All the talk was that we had him up close, we tried that and all he did was pull the whole way. That is not like him and there was a lot of merit in the run."

The promising three-year-old is set to contest the Schweppes Handicap (1600m) at Randwick this coming Saturday, currently holding favouritism at $3 with online bookmakers. The reins will be held by Tommy Berry, who partners the son of Deep Field on race day for the first time, though he has guided the horse in two barrier trials prior to his successful debut.

"The visors have come off him and we've put the winkers on just to make him focus," Snowden elaborated.

"He's a lazy horse at home so just so he doesn't switch off too much but certainly not to be pulling like last time. On the day he just pulled a bit, that's all."

Adding to the stable's runners, Snowden also has Xidaki, a five-year-old gelding, returning from a significant spell in the Cactus Imaging Handicap (1200m). The gelding's target is the Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m) at Sunshine Coast on July 4.

The blinkers will be absent from the five-year-old gelding as he races for the first time since January 10.

"He's a very consistent horse but just last few preps have been just below that he normally does," Snowden shared.

"So, I thought a good long spell might just bring back to his straps. I've been happy with his two trials but it does take a while to get them up to peak fitness after a long break. Unfortunately he has drawn a really bad gate (15) but I just want him to show us that eagerness and keenness that he had."

Punters keen on Nitro's chances in the Schweppes Handicap can find competitive betting markets for the race at racing betting markets.