Missile Stakes Day takes centre stage at Randwick this Saturday with a 10-race program.
The track holds a Soft 5 rating, and fine weather should keep conditions steady. The rail moves out 4m, so the speed map and early positioning will play a key role across the afternoon.
Our race analysis looks at the key runners, main winning chances and best betting opportunities. With a competitive card and a strong feature race, there is plenty for punters to work through.
Let’s get into the Randwick card and try to get some bread.
CENTURY SONG (3) will appreciate the slight rise in distance after settling a long way back over 1000m on the Kensington track and finding the line strongly to finish fourth, beaten 1.81 lengths.
The Robert & Luke Price-trained gelding proved too strong in easier company two starts back when charging home to win by a length at Kembla Grange.
He won by three lengths over this distance last preparation, and Tommy Berry retains the ride.
There looks to be good speed in the race, which should aid his cause.
| 3. Century Song (7) J: Tommy Berry 59kg 20814T: Robert & Luke Price | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start 4th of 10 at Randwick Kensington Bm72 on July 29 over 1000m, slow going 1.75 len behind Vella’s Best with 60kg at $6.50. The start before that won by 1.0 len at Kembla Grange Bm64 July 16 over 1000m defeating Shalaa Gold carrying 62kg at $2.50. Disappointing last time but can do better here. | |||
LADY OLENNA (3) returns to the races for the first time since finishing fifth, beaten 2.59 lengths, in the Country Championships Qualifier at Muswellbrook in March.
The Messara & Gavranich-trained mare has had two trials leading into this first-up assignment and looks well placed to produce a bold showing.
She has competed well in Highway Handicaps previously, including a win over 1200m in a similar strength race at Canterbury earlier this year.
James McDonald is a key booking and should be able to land her in a prominent position.
| 3. Lady Olenna (9) J: James McDonald 57.5kg 4166xT: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | |||
| Resumes after a break of five months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation sixth of 14 at Muswellbrook H&Nw Champ March 8 over 1280m, 2.5 len behind Chidiac carrying 54kg at $21. First up last campaign second of 14 at Rosehill Highway-C2 November 29 over 1100m, 1.2 len behind Shenandoah River with 57kg at $3.20. Expecting a strong return. | |||
AVISTA (5) has started her career in fine style with three wins from her first four starts.
The Messara & Gavranich-trained mare returned in great order two starts ago at Scone with a 1.64-length win over 1300m.
She stamped her class last start when stepping up to 1500m at Muswellbrook, producing an impressive turn of foot to put her rivals away with ease and win by 4.43 lengths eased down.
This is her first trip to town, but she looks more than up to it and draws well for James McDonald.
| 5. Avista (4) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 31×11T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming favourite; won by 1.5 len at Scone Cl1 July 10 over 1300m on a rain affected track defeating Rockthevelio with 57.5kg at $1.80. Second run from a spell favourite; was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 4.5 len at Muswellbrook Bm66 July 26 over 1500m defeating Hinune carrying 59kg at $1.16. Ready to deliver in town. | |||
ELLE HUDSON (3) is a mare in form and looking for her third consecutive win.
The Joe Pride-trained daughter of Tarzino dropped significantly in class two starts ago, and it gave her the confidence she needed as she proved too strong over 2200m at Newcastle.
She stepped up to this distance last start on the Kensington track and produced a career-best performance, winning easily by 3.79 lengths.
Sam Clipperton retains the ride and should settle in a prominent position.
| 3. Elle Hudson (5) J: Sam Clipperton 57kg 27411T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Last start favourite; won by 4 len at Randwick Kensington Bm72 (71) July 29 over 2400m on a soft track defeating War Ribbon with 58.5kg at $2.60. Before that favourite; won by 1.1 len at Newcastle Bm64 July 14 over 2200m in soft going defeating Alnair with 60kg at $2.70. Going well but this will test. | |||
PERFECT JUSTICE (6) has been a model of consistency this preparation and again looks well placed.
The John Sargent-trained gelding gave a great account of himself last start over 1800m here, where despite racing wide, he fought gamely to finish second by a head.
He will appreciate dropping back to the mile and has a good record over this course and distance, having won and defeated Mona Lisa two starts ago.
Siena Grima, who claims 2kg, will give him every chance from the nice gate.
| 6. Perfect Justice (4) J: Siena Grima 58.5kg 42212T: John Sargent | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run made ground from midfield; 2nd of 11 at this track Cg&E Bm78 on July 25 over 1800m, on a slow track; neck behind Sly Boots with 55.5kg at $4.20. The start before that won by a long-neck at this track Midway Bm72 July 11 over 1600m on a heavy track defeating The Mona Lisa carrying 56kg at $4.20. Expected to go well again with the better set-up. | |||
PRIMA BELLA (7) returns to Sydney following a successful hit-and-run Melbourne mission.
The Matthew Smith-trained mare raced on speed over 1000m down the Flemington straight and fought tooth and nail once headed, getting the verdict right on the winning post.
She has a good record over this course and distance, having won first-up this preparation before finishing third, beaten half a length, two starts ago.
There looks to be plenty of speed in the race, which should allow Mollie Fitzgerald to settle off it before launching late with just 52.5kg.
| 7. Prima Bella (6) J: Mollie Fitzgerald 55.5kg x1931T: Matthew Smith | |||
| Form hard to fault. Most recently won by a nose at Flemington Bm78 July 18 over 1000m on a rain affected track defeating Next Step Iowa with 58kg at $7. The start before that sat on speed throughout when 3rd of 7 at this track Bm78 on July 11 over 1000m, on rain affected going; 0.5 len behind Zouripper with 58kg at $3.50. Finds a nice race and will take holding out with the claim. | |||
TAZIMA (5) is low flying with four wins from his past five starts.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding is undefeated over this course and distance, with the first of those wins coming two starts ago when he showed incredible toughness.
Last start was a little more one-sided, with him letting down powerfully to salute by two lengths, with 3.43 lengths back to third.
He maps to get a sweet run from the inside barrier for James McDonald.
| 5. Tazima (1) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 13111T: Chris Waller | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start favourite; won by 2 len at this track Bm88 July 11 over 1800m on a heavy track defeating Boniface with 58.5kg at $3.90. The run before that favourite; won by a neck at this track Bm88 June 20 over 1800m on a soft track defeating Boniface with 55.5kg at $3.70. Well placed. Has the right credentials and is expected to go well again. | |||
ANGEL CAPITAL (1) returns to the races for the first time since a luckless sixth in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes, where he never saw daylight.
The Chris Waller-trained entire flies fresh, having won four of his five first-up starts.
He gets in well under the set weights conditions of the Missile Stakes, given he is four rating points higher than his nearest rival.
James McDonald can settle just off what looks like a strong speed.
| 1. Angel Capital (3) J: James McDonald 57.5kg 4326xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Entire returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign sixth of 13 at this track in the G1 All Aged April 18 over 1400m, 2.5 len behind Beiwacht with 59kg at $3.40. Previously first up; fourth in a small field at this track in the G2 Expressway February 14 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Joliestar carrying 57.5kg at $2.90. Proven Group 1 sprinter with an exceptional first-up record. | |||
SCRIPTED (3) started her career in perfect fashion with back-to-back wins before spending 14 months in the paddock.
While she did not win a race last preparation, the Matt Dunn-trained mare placed in four of her five starts, including the Northern Country Championships Wild Card race at Scone, where she went down by a head.
She has warmed up for her return with two trials and looked good working to the line under a hold in her most recent piece of work.
A good gate gives Kerrin McEvoy options in a race that looks to have some speed.
| 3. Scripted (4) J: Kerrin Mcevoy 58.5kg 2732xT: Matthew Dunn | |||
| Mare returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation second of 16 at Scone Nrth Wild Card March 20 over 1400m, soft track; a neck behind Warrior For Peace with 54.5kg at $2. When resuming last campaign second of 8 at Eagle Farm Bm70 December 13 over 1000m, soft track; 0.6 len behind Yoyo Yeezy carrying 57.5kg at $8.50. Expecting a bright return. | |||
WATSON (4) resumed with a strong win over this distance at Canterbury, where he paired off with Clear Proof to score by a head, with the rest of the field nearly five lengths away.
The Waterhouse & Bott-trained gelding will strip fitter, and he bolted in by 3.14 lengths when second-up last preparation.
He has shown good ability, having finished fourth in the Group 3 Eskimo Prince Stakes and within a length of the winner in the Listed Canberra Guineas.
Tim Clark is a good booking, given he will roll forward and look to dictate in front.
| 4. Watson (10) J: Tim Clark 60kg 145×1T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months favourite; won by a head at Canterbury Bm72 July 22 over 1200m on a soft track defeating Clear Proof carrying 59.5kg at $2.80. Previously second-up favourite; scored a big 3 len win at Canterbury Cg&E Bm72 January 30 over 1250m defeating Calga Power carrying 54kg at $4.40. Fitter again and can go on with it now. | |||
Randwick Big Bets
Following the money at Randwick on Missile Stakes Day? We’ve got the big bets covered for Saturday’s 10-race card.