MISSILE STAKES G2

RACE 8 - 1200m

PRIVATE EYE / ROBUSTO / BRUDENELL

He may only have a single Group one to his name, however, the brilliant AL MAHER gelding PRIVATE EYE is all class and returns to the ring as a spritely eight-year-old. Hard to knock a horse with $12M in the bank, and the Joe Pride trained sprinter did remarkably well to run 3rd in the Gr.1 Stradbroke Handicap fresh up. A perennial placegetter behind some talented horses, he last won the Gr.3 Festival Stakes in Nov, before a 4th in the Gr.2 Ingham at Randwick when tried up to the mile. Very clean jumpout at Warwick Farm last week. Highly experienced, Nash Rawiller aboard and he should have no problems with this weight as a good fresh up performer.

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ROBUSTO should jump clear second favourite and gives Bjorn a strong hand in this race. The gelding was outclassed fresh in the Stradbroke Handicap but ran a much improved race in the Winter Stakes before a powerful finish to win the Winter Challenge Stakes at Rosehill. Bjorn bought the gelding on Inglis Digital in September for $160,000 after the five-year-old had 29 starts for six wins and eight placings for Chris Waller and his breeders Ingham Racing, earning $415,000. Baker’s superb CV on second-hand horses rings true with ROBUSTO, who was unlucky when held up at the 150m over 1400m at Rosehill, and the CHURCHILL gelding can get the job done again on Saturday.

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The Kris Lee-trained BRUDENELL, a talented gelding by RUSSIAN REVOLUTION, boasts several Listed Stakes victories and Group placings; however, he faces quite formidable competition in this race, which will present a challenging task. He does sprints well though, and won the Abell Stakes (1200m) at The Valley in February, before giving his all lumping 58.5kg when 2nd to BARBER in the Listed Takeover Target (1200m) at Gosford. Ran 3rd in the Luskin Star (1300m) at Scone before a last start 2nd in the Bob Charley (1100m) at Randwick. Freshened and has since won a 1000m jumpout, so potentially can give this a red hot go with a fair weight first-up. Will need to be right on it from the gates to feature.

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1984 MISSILE STAKES FARCE

Read about the dramatic story of the ‘84 MISSILE STAKES, which led to chaotic scenes and punters baying for blood after the race.

PREMIERS CUP PRELUDE

RACE 9 - 1800m

SALTCOATS / GLORY DAZE / NELLIE LEYLAX

SALTCOATS only broke through for his first Australian win last December at this track after starting his racing career in New Zealand. The former Kiwi ended his prior preparation with a fast-finishing third in the Tulloch Stakes behind WYMARK as a three-year-old, proving that the step up in trip is what he was searching for. Finished 3rd in both the Listed January Cup and Australia Day Cup up against some promising types before a decent spell. The Waller-trained ARDROSSAN gelding was forced back early resuming at Rosehill after being bumped around, but gave good chase for 3rd in the Listed Winter Challenge Stakes when locked away until the 400m with nowhere to go. Great opportunity here to confirm his potential and take another step forward and we believe he can win this.

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The Ciaron Maher trained GLORY DAZE comes back in trip here after three good runs at the 2000m and is likely to be in fine condition. The imported COTAI GLORY gelding had been in Australia since June 2022, and has shown glimpses of staying ability since finishing 2nd in the Gr.3 Irish Derby trial. The intention of riding him more forward seems to be working, with a win at Randwick in a bog, then a 3rd when losing a hind plate in the Listed Lord Mayors Cup, and another 3rd place in the McKell Cup last start. Likely to stalk the pace, won't be bothered by an off track and can run out this trip super strongly.

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Down at the bottom of the page, NELLIE LEYLAX looks very threatening as a progressive four-year-old making making a big step up from 3YO grade. But the imported CALYX gelding trained by team Archibald was quite impressive in England, although he is vastly superior on deep ground and may not get as start here as 6th emergency. If he fails to start in Sydney, then Moonee Valley will be his mission despite a better track there not suiting his style. His form has been consistent, but all his form in Europe has been on bottomless ground so only worth considering if squeezes into this field.

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BENCHMARK 88 HANDICAP

RACE 5 - 1000m

BOSTON ROCKS / HI DUBAI / BONITA QUEEN

There's no denying the HELLBENT gelding BOSTON ROCKS is a beautifully bred galloper being out of the fine FLYING SPUR Qld sprinter, SPURS AND SASHES, and he's certainly proved his worth. Trainer Matty Dale has guided the gelding to six wins, including a near perfect victory over 1100m at Rosehill in February, followed by a strong front-running display to win over 1200m at Moonee Valley. Two jumpouts to prepare for a return, with a slick effort over 824m at Warwick Farm teo weeks ago. More than likely rearing to go and well suited at the 1000m fresh up.

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The HIGHLAND REEL mare HI DUBAI has returned in fine fashion with two third placings over 1000m at Randwick before challenging at the 300m over 1100m at Rosehill, then digging deep to win convincingly. Her mother EUREKA DUBAI is by the powerful Irish sire DUBAWI, so she really has green menace deep within the pedigree. Trainer Ciaron Maher took over the mare in August 2023 and spelled her for 39 weeks. She came back strong, with a win at Randwick 12 months ago, then another at Canterbury Park in August. Lost her position on straightening at Randwick last start so put that aside. Carefully handled by the stable and can bounce back.

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BONITA QUEEN could be a major threat here resuming as the I AM INVINCIBLE mare has competed in strong company. Blitzed them twice 12 months go over 1100m at Warwick Farm, then a 2nd there behind FIRE STAR. Won at Wyong resuming in Jan, before a couple of placings here at Randwick, but was collared late there when 4th to INHIBITIONS in the Gr.3 Triscay Stakes. Slow to recover in the next, so Bjorn Baker gave the mare a good break before bringing her back. Won a 900m jumpout beating home G1 Star PRIVATE EYE at Warwick Farm, with LADY SHENANDOAH and CEOWULF also in that group. Could really rouse up fresh and the fireworks will be on early in this one.

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BEST BET: PRIVATE EYE

NEXT BEST: SALTCOATS

BEST VALUE: BOSTON ROCKS

LONGSHOT: HI DUBAI