The 2015 Missile Stakes is an option for Royal Descent after she won an all-Chris Waller barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens this morning.
Royal Descent led from start to finish in a barrier trial at Rosehill Gardens this morning. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Royal Descent contested the opening barrier trial of the morning over 1030 metres and she was sent straight to the lead in the early stages of the trial to open up a several lengths gap over Junoob and Beaten Up.
The talented mare was kept under a heavy hold throughout the barrier trial, but she was still able to maintain a comfortable lead on stablemates and she cantered to the line to score a very easy win.
Royal Descent was expected to start her 2015 Spring Racing Carnival campaign in the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on August 22, but she was included as a late entry in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) that will be held at Royal Randwick on Saturday after only six horses were included in the original nominations for the race.
The daughter of Redoute’s Choice has not recorded a race win since she claimed a ten lengths victory in the 2013 edition of the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m), but she finished second in the Warwick Stakes, Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m), Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) during the 2014 Spring Racing Carnival before he finished third in both the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) and Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) during her autumn campaign.
One of the other standout in the opening barrier trial of the morning was Beaten Up, who hit the line strongly despite being kept under a heavy hold.
Beaten Up returned to the races during the 2015 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival following a lengthy stint in the spelling paddock and he was placed in the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens before he was sent to the spelling paddock after he failed to fire in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.
The other Waller-galloper that produced an eye-catching performance was Victoria Derby winner Preferment, who hit the line strongly in his second barrier trial of his autumn preparation.
Preferment was unable to record a race win during the autumn, but she as only narrowly denied by Cox Plate hopeful Volkstok’n’barrell in the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) before he was beaten as favourite in the Group 1 Australian Derby (2400m).
Sydney Cup winner Grand Marshal, Melbourne Cup placegetter Who Shot Thebarman, imported stayer Junoob and The Metropolitan winner Opinion all contested the same barrier trial, but were given a very quiet time.
Beaten Up and Preferment are both likely to return to the races in the Warwick Stakes and could be joined by up to ten of their stablemates.
