Trainer Liam Birchley is looking to a Spring campaign for Missy Longstocking after the filly scored a soft win in the Listed $100,000 Ambassador Travel Hampden Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm today.

Damian Browne and Missy Longstocking returning to scale after winning the Hampden Stakes at Eagle Farm. Photo by Daniel Costello.

Birchley is also considering a final Brisbane Winter Carnival start in two weeks at Eagle Farm again in the Listed $100,000 Centenary Classic Mercedes-Benz Stakes (1400m).

Missy Longstocking was racing with the blinkers on for the first time and showed her superiority with Damian Browne giving her an easy run to the line to hold off Enquare and Jet Down On It.

Favourite Cosmic Endeavour faded at the finish to end up in fourth spot and leading the field well into the straight.

Birchley decided to add the blinkers after Missy Longstocking finished ninth to Zoustar in the Group 2 $250,000 Al Basti Equiworld BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1350) at Doomben on May 25 and he was rewarded with the right result.

“She just fired up a bit. He gave her a bit of a dig coming out to make sure she jumped well with the blinkers first time and she just wanted to race a bit,” Birchely said.

“Damian is the right sort of rider for that. He gets them beautifully balanced and relaxed.”

“She may run again in a fortnight over 1400m, I’ll just see how she comes through this but otherwise we’ll head down to the Spring.”

Brown had Missy Longstocking quickly out of the barriers and after sharing the lead in the early stages, Brown elected to take a sit behind Cosmic Endeavour and Vienna Queen.

Coming to the home turn the filly was starting to get anxious and Brown let her stride up to the leaders before letting her go at the 250m and going to score a soft win..

“She began really well and with the blinkers on really switched her on,” Brown said.