That’s the confident call from Karnup trainer Donna Riordan who says Triple Missile can put an end to a long losing drought in Bunbury’s main sprint race.
Triple Missile is on a 15-race winless streak and hasn’t saluted the judge since scoring at Swan Hill for previous trainer, Lindsey Smith, three years ago.
Following stints with Todd Harvey, Lindsey Smith and Grant and Alana Williams, Triple Missile came to Riordan last year and she’s been happy with his form.
At the recent Ascot summer carnival, the seven-year-old ran competitive fourths in the Asian Beau Stakes (1400m) and The Gold Rush (1400m), beaten just under two lengths in both races.
Triple Missile is racing second up in the Bunbury Stakes after showing strong finishing abilities from a tardy beginning in last Sunday week’s Pinjarra Classic (1300m).
Under Joe Azzopardi, he stormed home from last position and on the outside to finish sixth and three lengths off the winner, Snowdome, running the quickest final 600m.
Riordan was rapt in the performance and says an extra 100m in the 2025 Bunbury Stakes will help Triple Missile no end.
“He went super and got home really well,” Riordan said on TABradio.
“He just got too far out of his ground and made up a lot of ground at the end.
“I think the further distance will suit him.
“We’ve been super happy with him.
“All his runs for us have been terrific without a whole lot of luck.”
Triple Missile has seven rivals to contend with in the Bunbury Stakes and shares the 59.5kg topweight with Man Crush.
Riordan hopes he can step cleanly from barrier three.
“I’m hoping he can settle that bit closer,” Riordan said.
“Unfortunately, he never jumps very well, no matter what we do, he doesn’t muster early which brings him undone all the time.
“Joey (Azzopardi) will try his best to get him out as sharp as he can and be that little bit closer.
“If he does that, he’ll be hard to beat.
“He’s come through the Pinjarra run really well and has improved from that.”
Triple Missile is shooting for his first major win after placings in the Group 2 Gilgai (1200m) and Group 3 Rising Fast (1200m) in Melbourne and the Breeders’ Classic (1400m) in Bunbury.
In online betting markets, he’s rated $10, behind Watch Me Rock ($2.25), Ice Pick Nick ($4.20), Man Crush ($5.50) and Final Siren ($7).
