The Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) headlines an impressive nine race card at Sydney’s Royal Randwick Racecourse on Saturday afternoon.
Le Romain leads a classy Group 2 Missile Stakes field. Photo: Steve Hart
Talented fields have been taken for all nine races on 2017 Missile Stakes Day, but we have analysed every horse in detail, in order to help you find a winner.
The Missile Stakes Day action is set to get underway with the running of the www.Walking2Help.com.au Sprint (1200m) at 11:50am, while the feature race is slated to run at 3:30pm.
Race 1 (11:50am) www.Walking2Help.com.au Sprint (1200m)
Only eight three-year-olds will step out for Race 1 on Missile Stakes Day, but there is plenty of winning potential. The Mighty Fed (barrier 4) has not been seen at the races since April, but has form around several good horses including Condor Heroes and should prove tough to beat. Brave Song (barrier 6) posted a maiden race win at Canterbury last weekend and is primed for a successful step up into this company. Addictive Nature (barrier 1) and Regimen (barrier 5) both also face a step up in class, but each also won on debut and are drawn ideally into this field.
Tip: No. 1 The Mighty Fed – Each Way ($18/$4.40)
Race 2 (12:30pm) #TheRaces Handicap (1800m)
Several smart horses have been confirmed in the field for Race 2 and there is a case to be made for more than half the field. Miss Dubois (barrier 1) returned to winning form on the Sunshine Coast on July 15th, but will step up in company this weekend and has been charged with overcoming a race-high 59kgs. Chris Waller will launch a three-pronged attack, including Diapason (barrier 7), Labdien (barrier 2) and Seventhchic (barrier 9). Diapason is yet to finish outside the first three this time and is primed for another big run, when Labdien went amiss last time out and will need to improve to figure in contention in this race. Seventhchic has steadily built to the task and should be ready to peak in form.
Tip: No. 3 Diapason ($5.50)
Race 3 (1:05pm) Cindy Sullivan Memorial Handicap (1400m)
Several horses carry good condition into Race 3 on Missile Stakes Day, however only two runners; Imperator Augustus (barrier 1) and Abohar (barrier 3) are last-start winners. Imperator Augustus has reeled off several strong and consistent results this time and is drawn ideally, with a very manageable weight this weekend. Abohar has posted two wins and a close second through four starts this time in and could receive the run of the race from barrier 3 on Saturday. Dorf Star (barrier 8) is rock-hard fit ahead of his fourth-up run, while He’s A Given (barrier 5) should carry plenty of benefit from his first-up run.
Tip: No. 8 Imperator Augustus ($4.80)
Race 4 (1:40pm) TAB Highway Supports Jockeys Trust (1400m)
A capacity field of sixteen country horses will step out in this weekend’s Highway Handicap. Murwillumbah trainer Matt Dunn has a terrific record in these races and is well represented once more by Care To Think (barrier 14). The So You Think gelding was a close second at both Grafton and on the Sunshine Coast, before returning to winning form at Doomben last time out on July 22nd. Super Star Bob (barrier 8) has shown good ability throughout his career and is sure to take benefit from a smart first-up run at Randwick. Stop The Fight (barrier 10) clearly faces a step up in class, but is a last start winner, while Gitan (barrier 7) and Makfi Lass (barrier 1) are both live chances.
Tip: No. 2 Care To Think ($2.60)
Race 5 (2:15pm) John & Denise Cobcroft Recognition Handicap (2400m)
A talented field of stayers will step out for Race 5 and it is subsequently an open race from a betting perspective. German import Global Gentl (barrier 13) returned to winning form over 2100m at Sandown last time out, but should only improve at a mile and a half. Auvray (barrier 10) is yet to show his best this time, but is one of the class horses of this field and should relish the conditions. Count Of Limonade (barrier 4) is drawn and weighted to win, while Celestial Choice (barrier 6) has been outstanding this time and should prove tough to beat under the conditions. Chris Waller will launch a four-pronged attack in Sayed (barrier 1), Vassal (barrier 8), Four Carat and Springbok Flyer (barrier 5).
Tip: No. 7 Global Gentl – Each Way ($11/$3.40)
Race 6 (2:50pm) Jockey Celebration Day Handicap (1600m)
Eleven milers will step out in Race 6 on Missile Stakes Day, including Zin Zan Eddie (barrier 2). The veteran galloper has been contesting races amongst tougher competition this time and should relish a step back in class and step up in distance. So Willie (barrier 3) has steadily built to the task this time and will be tough to beat, while stable mates Hollywood Bound (barrier 1) and Dubaiinstyle (barrier 4) are both up to the class, should they bring their best form. Invincible Knight (barrier 9) was only narrowly denied at Randwick last time, following a smart run for fourth in the Listed Civic Stakes (1350m) and will enjoy the Randwick mile on Saturday.
Tip: No. 2 Invincible Knight ($2.90)
Race 7 (3:30pm) Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m)
A classy field of sprinters will step out for the Group 2 Missile Stakes. Multiple Group 1 winner Le Romain returned to racing in career-best form in autumn, is a proven first-up performer and should prove extremely tough to beat here. Having beaten Chautauqua in the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes (1300m) most notably, the Hard Spun gelding was sent to the paddock after finishing second in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) and has reportedly taken plenty of benefit from his time away from the track. Jungle Edge (barrier 4) also found career-best form in autumn and winter and should find no issue in taking up the running from an inside draw, while The Monstar (barrier 5) has a fitness edge and has been excellent at black type level this time. Group 1 winner and defending Missile Stakes winner Tycoon Tara (barrier 1) will again prove tough to beat, while Group 1 placegetters Invincible Gem (barrier 6) and Harper’s Choice (barrier 2) both resume.
Tip: No. 1 Le Romain ($2.20)
Race 8 (4:10pm) TAB.com.au Handicap (1000m)
Several smart horses have been confirmed in the final field for Race 8 and this is another race whereby a case can be made for close to all thirteen. Clipper (barrier 4) has posted two wins and two minors through his four starts this time is weighted and drawn for success this weekend. Tango Rain (barrier 12) has not been seen at the races in 2017, but has a class edge on much of this field and has trialled well in the lead-up to the race. Johnny Roo Boy (barrier 6) is seeking a third-consecutive win on Saturday, while Sangiovese (barrier 3), Salerno (barrier 8) and Launch Code (barrier 2) will all look to continue terrific runs of form.
Tip: No. 3 Tango Rain ($2.90)
Race 9 (4:50pm) Schweppes Handicap (1200m)
The final race on Missile Stakes Day has attracted a classy field of fifteen. The early scratching of Queensland raider and leading contender Stella Ombra will not make much of a difference to the map for this race, but it has injected some value into the event. Kings Of Leon (barrier 12) has been flying and is seeking a third-consecutive win in the race, while Spending To Win (barrier 1) has gone close in both starts this time and is primed for a return to winning form. Ghostly (barrier 15) should be right in the mix despite an awkward barrier draw, while No Interest (barrier 5) has conditions to suit and carries winning form into the race.
Tip: No. 10 Spending To Win ($5)
