Bullet ready to fire in Emirates Stakes on Saturday

Sniper's Bullet will be looking to make good on his experience from the 2008 Emirates Stakes when he takes to the track at Flemington on Saturday.

The 2009 version of the $1 million race has 16 runners including Bullet, who failed to make the placings last year.

Bookmaker Centrebet has rated him at 21.00 for the race, and 4.20 to improve on last year's ninth place and make the placings.

AAP reports trainer Tracey Bartley is to tell jockey Michael Rodd to ride Sniper's Bullet aggressively in Saturday's 1600m run.

Last year he was ridden off the pace and made late ground, with All Silent the eventual winner.

Quoted by AAP, Bartley said the horse was now better than a year ago: "No doubt. He's got to press forward though, he can't go back on him, not in an Emirates.

"His last 600 was the third best of the race (last year) and he ran ninth. You can't give them a start in this sort of race."

The horse will go from barrier four, after Bartley had earlier said around six would be ideal for him.

Like a number of other contenders, Sniper's bullet will have to overcome firm favourite So You Think, who has led the betting all week.