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Historical Analysis of the Missile Stakes
MISSILE STAKES - G2 1200m
First of the feature WFA sprints for the new season is the Missile Stakes.
Previously predominantly run at Rosehill, it has been swapped around recently with the amalgamation of the clubs. But for an event run at this time of year, some elite horses have taken the prize.
PROFILING THE RACE
o Previously 1100m at Rosehill has been at 1200m since 2010 and now at Randwick.
o While 2yos have run before, Commands and Guineas are the only 2yos to win in 20 years (not applicable now with race run in August).
o Smallish fields have plagued this race so barriers haven’t been so important.
o Pompeii and Teasing were the only mares to win since 1994 before Sweet Idea and then Tycoon Tara and Invincible Gem. Ironically Klokka and Joanne won the four runnings from ’91 onwards.
o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 7yos (4 times)
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $6
o Breakdown of winners - 5 geldings, 4 mares & 1 entire.
o Winner’s Lead Up Races - Ramornie Hcp (2), Stradbroke Hcp (1), June Stks (1), Other (1), July Sprint (1), Spell (4)
RECENT WINNERS
Barrier: 6, Weight: 56.5kg, Gross Time: 1:11.82
Margin: 1.3L, Track: Soft (6), Starters: 82nd: Le Romain (58.5kg), 3rd: The Monstar (58.5kg)
Review: Kris Lees had become one of the leading NSW trainers and this was just a snapshot of that. Two of his sprint stars clashed and ran the quinella.
However it was the outsider that saluted. Le Romain was talked of as a chance to make The Everest field and so was odds on. But the new season mare Invincible Gem just continued her great progression.
Her three Randwick runs now were G3 and G2 wins and a close G1 second. Corey Brown tracked the favourite everywhere and went on by at the furlong. She could well end up a star mare.
Barrier: 4, Weight: 56.5kg, Gross Time: 1:15.64
Margin: 0.5L, Track: Heavy (10), Starters: 52nd: Rebel Dane (58.5kg), 3rd: Mount Nebo (58.5kg)
Review: This was a heavy track. Of that no one can deny. Rain through the week and on race day made it somewhat debatable if the meeting would continue but it did however the Snowdens withdrew their Golden Slipper winner Capitalist in the morning.
They were left with a newcomer to the stable in the former Victorian mare Tycoon Tara. On a day when it was hard to make up ground, she went forward and just staved them all off.
It wasn’t the strongest G2 race you’d see but a great result for the owners.
Barrier: 6, Weight: 58.5kg, Gross Time: 1:09.13
Margin: 0.2L, Track: Good (4), Starters: 82nd: Weary (58.5kg), 3rd: Temple Of Boom (58.5kg)
Review: On a day when there were many horses to lead all the way, the feature race saw the winner come from last. Burbero had graduated to winning an Ajax Stakes in the Autumn and then spelled before a top run first up.
He got back to last when racing back at Randwick and with the pace on set by the stable mate Zaratone, he was still ten lengths away at the bend. But once they got tired up front he weaved a passage under his kiwi rider and unleashed a fast final sectional.
