His first tilt at stakes level since placing in the 2019 Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes, Mission Phoenix made every post a winner to hold off a wall of horses in the Listed January Cup (2000m).
“He has been a model of consistency all preparation and Tyler’s obviously has a good association with him – he rode him a treat,” Mark Newnham stable representative Aaron Lau said.
“He makes his own luck on pace and he is as tough as anything. He had to do a bit of work early. Tyler [Schiller] was able to rate him really well.”
Mission Phoenix is presently in his second full preparation since sustaining a serious tendon injury in 2019.
His injury put the brakes on a highly promising maiden campaign and three-year-old season where he shaped as a Derby hopeful after placing in the Grand Prix Stakes (2206m) at Eagle Farm
While his first campaign through autumn 2022 was sound and returned two placings from five starts, the Reset gelding has struck career best form since getting up over ground this preparation.
“It was a good win for the owners because they’ve had to wait a little bit early on in his preparation as he had a few injury issues but they’re reaping the rewards now,” Lau said.
It was the gelding’s third win from five starts this campaign with stable apprentice Tyler Schiller aboard for each of those successes.
“He’s always had ability up at this distance to go to that Group level, it’s just that he’s had a few issues,” Schiller said.
“It is very good to see him back to his best form though, especially on a wet track. He’s better form is on a good track, so to see him do it on both this prep is very good.
“He’s a lovely old horse. At home he is beautiful, the strapper rides him and he does a really good job. He has been really good this prep, he has been very consistent and I think he is one of the quietest old horses in the stable.”
