It has been almost five years since Mathew Cahill rode Sniper’s Bullet, but trainer Tracy Bartley has recalled the hoop in the hope that he can reverse the fortunes of the former Group One winner.

Cahill rode Sniper’s Bullet to his first win back in 2006. That day he was victorious in a 1000m two year old open handicap at Dubbo. On Saturday he will line up in the listed Civic Stakes at Rosehill over 1400m.

In the five years since Cahill was last aboard Sniper’s Bullet, the talented gelding has gone on to win multiple Group Ones (2007 Stradbroke Handicap, 2009 Railway Stakes and the 2009 Kingston Town Classic), while the talented hoop has continued riding in the bush.

“Mathew was on him when he won at Dubbo at his second start as a two year old but the way things have worked that was the last time he rode him,” said trainer Tracey Bartley.

“Maybe I’m clutching at straws going for a different jockey. But we all know Mathew holds his own when he rides in town and maybe he can provide the spark,” Bartley said.

The form of Sniper’s Bullet has gone off the boil of late, with the seven year old failing to run a place in each of his last five starts. He raced in the Group One sprints during the Brisbane winter carnival, but was rarely sighted. The last time Sniper’s Bullet featured in the placing’s was in the 1400m Betfair Stakes at Caulfield last year when he was beaten a nose by Rothera.

His last run was in the Stradbroke Handicap, and despite the fact he finished 14^th of 18, Bartley said it was difficult to gauge the performance of the horse.

“Michael (Rodd) wasn’t disappointed at all. Once we drew wide it was always going to be an ask and as it turned out the horse had no luck,”

Despite his poor recent form, Bartley said retirement would not be an option until after Sniper’s Bullet had had two runs in Sydney.

“I suppose if he doesn’t go any good then retirement is an option but I’ve been very happy with him since I bought him back from Brisbane,”

“I can’t find anything wrong with him, he’s not sore. We’re hoping the drop in class is going to help him on Saturday.”

As a three time Group One winner Sniper’s Bullet is sure to receive the top weight in the Civic Stakes. Others headed towards Saturday’s Rosehill feature include Altered Boy, Drenalin, Scarf and Title.