Black-type racing returns to Randwick this Saturday with the running of the Missile Stakes (1200m), the first Pattern race of the new Sydney season.
The Randwick meeting attracted 165 nominations when entries closed on Monday morning, with the Missile Stakes receiving 12 nominations for a capacity field of 16 plus four emergencies. As a result, the race was one of four on the program to have its nomination deadline extended by 24 hours.
Chris Waller holds a particularly strong hand, with Lady Shenandoah and Angel Capital the two highest-rated horses among the current entries, boasting ratings of 115 and 112 respectively.
Both recently turned five-year-olds have completed two barrier trials in preparation for their return and possess outstanding fresh records. Lady Shenandoah has never finished outside the placings first-up in five attempts, while Angel Capital has won four of his five previous campaign openers.
Winter performer Midnight Dynamite is another leading contender, alongside emerging sprinters Napoleonic, from the John O’Shea and Tom Charlton stable, and Michael Freedman’s talented Ninja.
Gangsta Granny, prepared by Michael, John and Wayne Hawkes, also features prominently among the nominations. Rated 108, the mare is the third-highest-rated entrant received to date.
David Payne has again nominated several of his promising three-year-olds, including Bangkok Hottie, Persian Wonder (NZ) and Proxima Dea, with the trainer considering taking on older horses in Benchmark company.
Payne adopted a similar strategy last weekend when Krasina finished an encouraging second behind Attractiveness (NZ) in the Midway Handicap, and his stable appears well placed to make an early impact as the spring carnival approaches.
Saturday’s Randwick meeting will be conducted with the rail positioned +7m from the 800m to the winning post and +6m for the remainder of the circuit.
The track was rated a Soft 5 at the start of the week.
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