SNAPPER BIDDING TO GO BACK-TO-BACK AT FLEMINGTON TODAY

Poland, Snapper and Swords Drawn are our runners at home today.

Last start Flemington winner Snapper (pictured) runs in race five, the Festive Season Sprint over 1200 metres with Jamie Mott in the saddle.

Although it is six weeks between runs Mike Moroney is happy with the way the five-year-old heads in to today’s race.

“We saw this race and kept him back to run in it,” Mike said. “He’s had a solid jumpout in between and his work on Tuesday was as good as I’ve seen from him.

“It’s only a slight rise in grade from his last start win and he gets a slight weight drop to compensate.

“I’m really happy with him, he’s in great order and I expect him to be hard to beat.”

Poland runs in the eighth race, the TAB Trophy over 1400 metres with Blake Shinn to ride.

“He’s getting frustrating I’ll admit but he’s holding his condition really well,” Mike said.

“He had a legitimate excuse for his last start failure when he led into a strong wind at Caulfield and if you go on his previous start running second at Group 3 level then he’s definitely a winning chance today.

“The wide barrier is disappointing but it is what it is and if he can get across cheaply then I’m confident he’ll be in it for a long way.”

Swords Drawn is the first to go in race three over 1600 metres with Celine Gaudrey reducing his weight by three kilos.

“I thought his first-up run was better than it looks on paper,” Mike said. “1400 metres at Group level was never going to suit him but he had to start somewhere and I thought he was really warming up late.

“Today is still on the short side for him but he should be really suited by racing at Flemington and I’ll be looking for him to be hitting the line strongly.”