A small but smart field has assembled for the running of the Missile Stakes. Surprisingly, we have four 8yo’s among the eight runners taking part but an interesting event all the same. Rain Affair, the winner of this race in 2011 resumes from a spell as does Centennial Park, who ran second to Pinwheel in last year’s edition.
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1. HAY LIST – (8) 58.5kgs
Group 1 winner who has been plagued by injury over the past 18 months. After finishing close to twenty lengths behind Black Caviar in the TJ Smith in April, the John McNair trained galloper was immediately spelled and has been prepped for his return to racing with two recent barrier trails. Hope he has come back well enough to be competitive again.
Odds: $5.50
2. RAIN AFFAIR – N Rawiller (5) 58.5kgs
A smart galloper who put together a very solid campaign in top company when last in work. Although he was unable to register a win from his five starts last prep, he did run second to All Too Hard in the All Aged Stakes and second to Your Song in the BTC Cup, both at G1 level. He bolted in by nine lengths when trialling at Randwick last week, indicating that he’s ready to go.
Odds: $1.65
3. MIC MAC – C Reith (6) 58.5kgs
Sensational effort by the Trainer Paul Messara to have this now 8yo win the Civic Stakes at his third run back from a 12 months break two starts ago. He followed that up with a second to the in-form Under The Sun in the Winter Stakes a fortnight ago. He’s pattern is to roll forward but hard to see him matching motors with Rain Affair for the duration of the trip.
Odds: $6.50
4. ATOMIC FORCE – T Clark (3) 58.5kgs
Now an 8yo, this son of Danehill Dancer last win in Australia, came in a Canterbury Welter back in November 2011. In seven Australian starts since, he hasn’t filled a place and whilst he’ll be better off for his first up eight (beaten 5.5 lengths) behind Zaratone at Rosehill three weeks back, it’s hard to seeing him having had come on enough from that run to figure here.
Odds: $17.00
5. CENTENNIAL PARK – (7) 58.5kgs
First up from an eleven week spell and this son of Thorn Park, does possess a solid first up record. Three wins from nine starts plus a further four placings including a second in the race last year and in February, a third behind Happy Galaxy and Skytrain in the Expressway Stakes. Like he had done prior to the Expressway, he’s had two barrier trials in readiness for his return to racing here and has to be included for a place.
Odds: $19.00
6. TITLE – J Ford (1) 58.5kgs
It wasn’t a successful autumn campaign by this Joe Pride trained galloper during the Autumn where the pick of his six start campaign was a fourth behind Rarefied in the Listed Hall Mark Stakes. He resumes here off a seven week spell with the one barrier trial under his belt. Started 7/2 in this race last year and finished fourth behind Pinwheel. No easier this time around.
Odds: $11.00
7. MY DESTINY – N Berry (2) 58.5kgs
Fantastic effort when first up off a seventeen month spell, he finished third behind Master Harry and Zaratone (both whom ran well again at their next starts) over 1100m at Rosehill. He then had three weeks off and lined up in Open Company at Randwick and, after settling in a good spot during the run, could go with See The World over the final stages and finished sixth, beaten 2 ¼ lengths. He’ll be fitter again for that run and drawn to get a nice cart along here but at this level will struggle.
Odds: $51.00
8. MRS ONASSIS – K McEvoy (4) 56.5kgs
The only mare in the race and winner of the G1 Oakleigh Plate in February. Trainer Gerald Ryan returned to the same course and trip as the Oakleigh Plate success when producing her first last month in the Listed Sir John Monash. She drew well in three, settled in the right spot during the run but was no much for Pago Rock over the final furlong and finished second to last. Smart mare who is obviously better than her last start but on that effort, can’t have here.
Odds: $21.00
OVERVIEW
Hard to go past the odds on favourite in Rain Affair. He likes to roll and I doubt if any of his competitors will try and take that spot from him without being detrimental to their own chances. His efforts in the G1 Canterbury Stakes behind Pierro and TJ Smith behind Black Caviar, stand him in very good stead for here. Centennial Park the danger. Another with a good first up record who should be able to stalk what should be a genuine pace and get the last shot at them.