Missile Stakes nominations doubled with extra entries

Group 1 winners Royal Descent and Temple Of Boom are among the late entries that have more than doubled the nominations for the Group 2 $175,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Royal Descent has been included in the nominations for the Missile Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Royal Descent has been included in the nominations for the Missile Stakes at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

The Australian Turf Club was forced to extend the nominations for the Missile Stakes to Tuesday morning after only six horses were entered at Monday’s deadline.

The extra noms have boosted the entries to fourteen with the Chris Waller trained Royal Descent joining stablemate Weary on the list.

The 2013 Australian Oaks victor hasn’t been to the winner’s circle since her ten lengths victory in the filly’s classic at Randwick over two years ago but has performer solidly at the highest level since with six placings in Group 1 company.

Royal Descent hasn’t raced since finishing third to Criterion in the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 11, the second day of ‘The Championships’ during the Sydney Autumn Carnival.

But she showed that she is in in line for a good Spring Carnival with an effortless win in the 1030m barrier trial at Rosehill today and she will be one of the main chances in the Missile Stakes if Waller decides to kick off her Spring campaign on Saturday.

Brisbane’s leading trainer Tony Gollan has thrown in a late nomination for Temple Of Boom who is also entered for the Group 3 $150,000 Aurie’s Star Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.

Temple Of Boom had a stop over in Sydney preparing for his Spring return on his way to Melbourne and has barrier trialled twice for a second over 900m at Rosehill on July 21 followed by a win over 840m at Randwick on July 31.

The Piccolo nine year old has also been very competitive at Group 1 level since winning the 2012 Group 1 $350,000 The James Boag Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick and will be having his first start since running fourth to Srikandi in the Group 1 $2m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on June 6 during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

Among the remainder of the late entries are last start restricted winners Boss Lane, Lord Leofric and Shiraz.

The Ron Quinton trained Boss Lane scored a solid win in 1250m $85,000 BenchMark 85 Handicap at Canterbury on July 25 while Shiraz, also nominated for the Aurie’s Star Handicap at Flemington, was a winner for the Tony McEvoy stable in the a 1200m $85,000 BenchMark 90 Handicap at Rosehill the previous week.

Lord Leofric will be facing a huge step up in class if trainer David Pfieffer decide to run him in the Group 2 weight for age race after winning a midweek 1100m  $40,000 BenchMark 75 Handicap at Warwick Farm on July 22.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.