Rick Hore-Lacy takes Snort to Moonee Valley on Wednesday hoping that he can win for the first time in nearly three and a half years.The Happy Giggle seven-year-old, having his 63rd race start in the Essendon Hyundai Santa Fe Hcp (1533m), hasn't won since New Year's Day in 2008 when he scored over 1400m at Flemington.The gelding has well and truly paid his way though, with four wins and 14 placings for more than $420,000 in prizemoney.As a two-year-old he was runner-up in the Debutants Stakes and

Rick Hore-Lacy takes Snort to Moonee Valley on Wednesday hoping that he can win for the first time in nearly three and a half years.

The Happy Giggle seven-year-old, having his 63rd race start in the Essendon Hyundai Santa Fe Hcp (1533m), hasn't won since New Year's Day in 2008 when he scored over 1400m at Flemington.

The gelding has well and truly paid his way though, with four wins and 14 placings for more than $420,000 in prizemoney.

As a two-year-old he was runner-up in the Debutants Stakes and in a Blue Diamond Preview before finishing seventh to Nadeem in the 2006 Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.

At three he won the Listed Concept Sports Stakes at Flemington, earning him a shot at the 2006 Caulfield Guineas in which he finished 10th to Wonderful World.

Also as a three-year-old he ran third in the Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield, third in the Queensland Day Plate at Eagle Farm and was 10th in both the Ascot Vale Stakes and Stradbroke Handicap.

Placed eight times in 34 outings since his last win, Snort should find it easier dropping back to midweek grade on Wednesday.

"He's a bit older and he's had a few aches and pains and it's just getting a bit harder for him," Hore-Lacy said.

"He's a backrunner too and needs a bit of luck to get into the race anyway.

"But it's good to have an old horse like him around the stable.

"He's a gentleman and everybody loves him.

"I'd rather have him in the stable than sending him to the knackery or having him standing freezing cold in a paddock somewhere."

The Caulfield trainer has taken heart from Snort's second placing behind spring prospect Flat Chat over 1509m at Moonee Valley three starts back on March 25.

On that occasion he ran on strongly after a slow getaway to be beaten 2-1/2 lengths.

Last start he ran sixth to Rocky Times in a 1400m heat of the Winter Championship Series at Bendigo last Thursday.

Jason Maskiell will ride Snort who drew barrier six in the field of 10 plus two emergencies.

Snort is at $15 with TAB Sportsbet which has the Lee Freedman-trained three-year-old Population $2.25 favourite ahead of Conquering Journey at $6.50 with King Cobweb at $7.50 and Brillanconi at $8.

Meanwhile, the Steve Richards-trained eight-year-old Irazu will try for his first win in more than 4-1/2 years in the Essendon Hyundai 145 Highweight (3000m).

Runner-up to Gallic in the 2007 Sydney Cup, Irazu hasn't won in 39 starts since The Bart Cummings (2530m) at Flemington in October 2006.

But the Encosta De Lago gelding, who has come through two injury-enforced layoffs of more than a year, has been a more than handy money-spinner for connections earning in excess of $560,000 from 59 starts for four wins and 16 placings.

The Moonee Valley track is rated a slow (7) with the rail out seven metres.