Missile Stakes 2015: Weary In Right Frame Of Mind

Weary will return to the races in the 2015 Missile Stakes and trainer Chris Waller is happy with the attitude of the enigmatic galloper ahead of the Group 2 event at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Weary will start his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Missile Stakes at Royal Randwick this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Weary will start his 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Missile Stakes at Royal Randwick this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart

Weary stamped himself as a horse to watch when he took out the Group 3 Doncaster Prelude (1500m) and finished third in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) during his maiden campaign in Australia during the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, but he failed to deliver on his promise in the spring and he was sent to the spelling paddock following a poor effort in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes (1400m).

The Astronomer Royal gelding started his 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign with a fast-finishing win in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill Gardens on January 31, but his form deserted him in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on February 28 and the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 21 before he returned to a semblance of his best form with a second place finish in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) in Brisbane on May 9.

Waller admits that Weary has been a tricky customer to get right throughout his racing career in Australia, but he is happy with the mental condition of the six-year-old and he believes the gelding will get the chance to finish over the top of his rivals in the 2015 Missile Stakes.

“His attitude is great and that is always a good sign with this horse,” Waller said.

“He loves a soft track and he will get that on Saturday I would say.

“He is going to need a little bit of cover from barrier nine, but there is plenty of speed in the race and they will roll along.

“That should help him find a spot midfield and we will see how he rounds them up.

“He is ready for a good prep.”

Waller is yet to decide on the exact path that Weary will follow during the 2015 Spring Racing Carnival, but he is likely to be set for the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick on September 19 and the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at the same venue on October 3 before a potential trip to Melbourne for the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 24.

Weary is currently available at 2015 Missile Stakes odds of $5 with Ladbrokes and is on the third line of betting behind Messene ($3.30) and Temple Of Boom ($4.60).

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.