Trainer Peter Moody believes Masked Assassin is ready to stand up and boost his value as a future sire when he tackles Saturday's Group Three BTC Sprint at Doomben.Masked Assassin was regarded as a potential star when he claimed the Group Two Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm in 2007 before finishing third to Apercu in the Group One TJ Smith (1600m) at his next appearance at the track.Moody had big plans for Masked Assassin in the spring that year but the then three-year-old ran into c

Trainer Peter Moody believes Masked Assassin is ready to stand up and boost his value as a future sire when he tackles Saturday's Group Three BTC Sprint at Doomben.

Masked Assassin was regarded as a potential star when he claimed the Group Two Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm in 2007 before finishing third to Apercu in the Group One TJ Smith (1600m) at his next appearance at the track.

Moody had big plans for Masked Assassin in the spring that year but the then three-year-old ran into champion Weekend Hussler when fourth in the Group One Ascot Vale Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 3, 2007.

The son of Danzero then went close to collecting a consolation victory when runner-up to Schilling in the Group Two Sandown Guineas (1600m) two weeks later.

Masked Assassin started only twice during the Melbourne autumn last year when Moody discovered the entire had a knee problem and surgery was needed to remove a spur.

The sprinter was making good progress following the operation when he developed laminitis, the crippling foot disease which led to champion mare Sunline recently being put down.

"He was in post-operative care from the knee operation when he developed laminitis and needed a year off racing to recover," Moody said.

"Thankfully he was well looked after by the people at Canning Downs Stud in Queensland who did maintenance work on his feet and did corrective shoeing until he came right."

Since the operation Masked Assassin had three starts in Melbourne before Moody set his sights on returning to Brisbane for the winter carnival.

The four-year-old returned to top form with an impressive victory in the Group Three Victoria Handicap (1400m) at Caulfield last month before failing dismally when he tailed the field in the Group One All-Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on Anzac Day.

Moody, who is having another great season with three Group One victories, is overlooking the Sydney defeat as a pointer to Masked Assassin's winter claims.

The trainer's Group One wins were with Reward For Effort in the Blue Diamond Stakes, Typhoon Tracy in the Coolmore Classic and Markus Maximus in the WATC Derby.

Last season in Brisbane, Moody won two Group Ones in the Queensland Oaks and Queensland Derby with Riva San who will form part of a two-pronged stable attack along with Markus Maximus in Saturday's Group One Doomben Cup.

"Masked Assassin's win two starts back at Caulfield was in a Group Three and it was a strong field," Moody said.

"But you have to take his next run in the All-Aged Stakes out of the equation.

"He and Glen Boss didn't click that day.

"They walked in front and my bloke pulled too hard."

Masked Assassin was originally nominated for Saturday week's Group One Doomben 10,000 (1350m) but Moody decided not to pay up at first acceptances.

"He was entered for the 10,000 but I think the Stradbroke will suit him better," Moody said.

"His form suggests he's capable of winning a Group One race and if he can win the Stradbroke it would be great for his stud career."

The Stradbroke (1400m) is at Eagle Farm on June 6.