Missile Stakes at Randwick betting, form and free tips, August 5
THE Group 2 Missile Stakes kicks off stakes racing for the new season and the best performers of the Sydney autumn carnival are in action.
Most notably Le Romain for trainer Kris Lees, which won the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes last campaign before running second in the All Aged Stakes behind Tivaci.
Another popular runner with be noted wet tracker Jungle Edge, which exceeded expectations last preparation by winning the BRC Sprint and finishing close up in numerous other top flight races.
The nine-race card features some great racing across the board and punters will get some of the best odds with Topbetta’s Global Tote.
Race 1 – Walking2help.com.au Sprint Handicap (1200m)
Wild Heart has plenty of potential as it showed when finishing fourth at Warwick Farm last start. The Hawkes-trained three-year-old gelding sat three wide throughout the trip and still rattled home to run Manicure to within a length. Its win prior over Curdled has since been franked and it could be up to stakes level if it performs well this Saturday. We’re expecting punters to back it off the map early.
Addictive Nature was a solid winner on debut at Warwick Farm and it showed a good professionalism about it. The Bjorn Baker-trained colt by Savabeel sat second on the outside of the pace setter and strode away for a 1.3-length victory. It looked up to this level and it will get the benefit of the inside draw.
Race 1 tip: Wild Heart to win at Ladbrokes.com.au
Race 2 – Theraces Handicap (1800m)
La Chica Bella has yet to finish outside of the placings in its five career starts to date. The Joe Pride-trained mare set the pace last start at Warwick Farm when scoring an easy 1.5-length win and its form prior came behind subsequent winner Arbeitsam. The daughter of Host is bred to see out these distances and it could take advantage of a field which doesn’t feature any superstars.
Diapason comes back from Melbourne where it showed good consistency. The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old ran three consecutive second placings after its win at Cranbourne and the Randwick track should help its cause. The daughter of Melbourne Cup winner Shocking is also bred to handle the staying distances and it should be well-backed in the market.
Race 2 tip: Diapason to win at CrownBet.com.au
Race 3 – Cindy Sullivan Memorial Handicap (1400m)
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Francesco hasn’t been winning very much in the last few seasons, but it has shown some encouraging signs of late. The Mark Newnham-trained six-year-old finished third at Randwick last start behind Pelethronius and that form should go well in this grade. It handles wet track conditions so any easing of the track won’t worry it and it could get out to tasty each way odds come starting time.
King Darci is more than capable of winning at this level and it should be fit having had two starts this preparation. The Tim Martin-trained five-year-old only battled at Rosehill last start, but it finished only 1.8 lengths behind Calanda in its start prior. That is strong form and it only needs a touch of luck from barrier 11 to feature in the finish.
Race 3 tip: Francesco to place at Bet365.com
Race 4 – Tab Highway Handicap (1400m)
Super Star Bob showed its ability last campaign and its resuming run on this track was a positive. The Matthew Dale-trained gelding won three of its four starts last campaign which included a win over Nic’s Vendetta. It lost no admirers running a close sixth behind Argent D’or last start and it should improve quickly.
Care To Think is a quality horse in the making which finished second in the Grafton Guineas Prelude before winning by a length last start. The Matthew Dunn-trained four-year-old has a brilliant turn-of-foot which will win it many races and a Highway Handicap win looks achievable. Drawing barrier 14 means it will likely drop back and come late.
Race 4 tip: Super Star Bob to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 5 – John & Denise Cobcroft Recognition Handicap (2400m)
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Sayed is the form runner of the field after scoring three wins from its last five starts. The Waller-trained five-year-old is more suited to racing on rain-affected tracks, but it fought well behind Encosta Line at Flemington two starts back on a good track so conditions won’t bother it too much. The inside draw will allow it to easily find a good spot in the field and Kerrin McEvoy is riding in good form.
Stablemate Vassal should be hitting top gear after three runs in this campaign. The six-year-old is twice a winner at Randwick which is a good sign and it’s now getting out to the distance where it should excel. It won over this distance at Randwick to end its campaign last time in and a similar result could be on the cards.
Race 5 tip: Sayed to win at Topbetta.com.au
Race 6 – Jockey Celebration Day Handicap (1600m)
Forget Steyne went around last start as it never had a winning chance. The Peter and Paul Snowden-trained gelding was travelling sweetly at Randwick before running into traffic problems in the straight. Punters will have to go on its form prior which included four consecutive wins in lower grades and it’s hard to recommend going past that.
Invincible Knight is a winner of six from 20 starts and it was only narrowly beaten at Randwick last start. The John Thompson-trained gelding got well back during the run before making a sweeping move to the front around the home turn. It hasn’t able to see off the challenge from Pelethronius, but it should enjoy racing in this grade and its form throughout this season has been solid.
Race 6 tip: Steyne to win at Topbetta.com.au
Race 7 – Missile Stakes (1200m)
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Le Romain is fresh up after finishing second in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes. The five-year-old has a good fresh record of four starts for two wins and two placings, and it does its best racing at Randwick. The Kris Lees-trained gelding might find this distance short of its best, but it scored over the 1200m in the Southern Cross Stakes in February and this will be one of the easiest fields it will face this season. Bookmakers have opened it as the $2.10 favourite which is generous money.
Invincible Gem is an emerging type for Kris Lees which finishing second in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas before spelling in March. The daughter of I Am Invincible has a good record fresh up and it shouldn’t take long to hit its straps this season. Bookmakers have opened it up at double figure odds and it could be one to quinella with Le Romain.
Race 7 tip: Le Romain to win ($2.25) at CrownBet.com.au
Race 8 – Tabcorp Handicap (1000m)
Clipper has yet to win outside the first three in eight career starts and that deserves some respect. The Dale-trained mare won its first two starts this campaign at the Highway Handicap level before going to Caulfield and running second behind Unique Lovely. It then returned to Sydney and ran a close second behind Memes, which is good form currently. Dropping back to this distance looks ideal and it should be tough to beat.
Launch Code scored an easy 3.2-length win at Wyong last start and despite rising in grade here, it looks to have ability. The Lees-trained four-year-old beat subsequent winner Tivoli Street by a length earlier this preparation and getting into this with only 55kg on its back will help. It could get out to each way odds.
Race 8 tip: Clipper to win at Sportsbet.com.au
Race 9 – Schweppes Handicap (1200m)
Kings Of Leon has matured into a handy type this campaign and another win could be on the cards. The Smith-trained four-year-old has won three of its four starts and it narrowly scored a win on this track last time out. Getting barrier 12 will ensure it goes back throughout the run and if the pace is on up front, expect Kings Of Leon is be finishing off strongly again.
Argent D’or scored an overdue win last start and it could continue on with it. The son of Sebring narrowly won over the talented Spending To Win and it stays down in the weights which looks ideal. It has won twice at this distance and punters will likely get each way odds for this classy type.
Race 9 tip: Kings Of Leon to win at CrownBet.com.au