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By Ray Hickson

It’s safe to say, since he was drawn out as a slot winner for The Kosciuszko, Bathurst resident Terry Roberts and his wife have received quite an upgrade on their plans for Everest Day next month.

Roberts had already locked in a trip to Royal Randwick for October 13 but instead of being in the stand fighting for a seat he’ll be in the enclosure cheering on his runner Snitz in the $1.3 million race.

Snitz joined his stablemate Care To Think, both trained by Matt Dunn, in The Kosciuszko on Wednesday.

“We get to the races on a semi-regular basis,’’ Roberts said.

“I am a very mug punter, casual, and it’s purely entertainmnent and I enjoy it.

“We went to the Golden Slipper this year to watch Winx. We were going to the Everest anyway, we booked our tickets and the punters pack. A pie and a sandwich and a couple of drinks, find the best seat and hang onto it.

Snitz wins his Gold Coast trial on September 11

“I was quite content with that but now I’m delighted. I’m looking forward to it immensely.’’

Snitz, winner of the Grafton heat of the Country Championships, hasn’t raced since May but showed he was on track with an impressive trial win, given a strong hitout, at the Gold Coast on September 11.

Roberts, who is half-owner of an engineering contracting business of 29 years, said he was never in a rush to pick his runner and sat back as The Monstar, Don’t Give A Damn, Suncraze, Kopi Luwak, Care To Think, Victorem and After All That were snapped up.

“A really good friend of mine is a racing enthusiast and I was guided by his advice,’’ he said.

“Once he suggested Snitz I had a look at a couple of his runs and he looks like a very good horse. I know Victorem has beaten him but when he was up against Victorem he raced wide.

“I believe he is a very good chance.’’

Trainer Matt Dunn said he’s weighing up the options of giving Snitz a second trial or sending him to Doomben on Saurday week for a 1200m open race as his Kosciuszko lead up.

Like Roberts, Dunn said you can draw a line between Snitz and second favourite Victorem through his luckless fifth in the Country Championships Final (1400m) back in April.

“When he won his Heat he dominated and he’s won three races in Brisbane, he’s a pretty handy horse,’’ he said.

“He trialled really well the other day, ran quick time. He’ll either have that run at Doomben or trial the same day as Care To Think (October 2) but I thnk he will probably have a start.’’

While Dunn said Care To Think possess more class he feels Snitz ($15 with TAB) has been a little under rated.

“If he draws a gate and gets the right run he’s not going to be far away,’’ Dunn said.

Tickets for The Everest are on sale now.