Smith hoping to Rain on Missile Thunder’s parade
Missile Thunder could very well be the best two-year-old in Queensland.
Despite that horse being unbeaten from five starts and looking to make it six from as many in Saturday’s $100,000 QTIS 2YO Classic (1200m) at Townsville, Rockhampton trainer Tom Smith is quietly confident that he can cause an upset.
The 21-year-old trainer will saddle up the classy Better Rain, who was last seen when running second in the $500,000 QTIS 2YO Jewel (1200m) on the Gold Coast in March.
The son of Better Than Ready will head into Saturday afternoon’s race first-up following the one trial in May at Rockhampton.
Regular jockey Les ‘Bubba’ Tilley has retained the ride, with the pair set to jump from barrier 10 in the 11-horse field.
“He had his last bit of fast work on Monday morning and worked really good, so he’s probably going a little bit better than what he was last prep,” Smith told HorseBetting.
“I think he’s taken good improvement from that trip away and he’s come back a fitter and stronger horse.”
While Missile Thunder is expected to start as a short-priced favourite in the North Queensland feature, Smith is more than happy to be taking him on with his $144,000 earner.
Missile Thunder has beaten three of Saturday’s challengers in the past, so Smith is hoping that differing form lines from central and south-east Queensland could bring the unbeaten gelding unstuck.
“I don’t know if I’m confident, but I’m happy to be taking my horse up there” he said.
“He’s (Missile Thunder) there to be beaten and I’m not going to run away from him.
“If there’s a horse outside of South-East Queensland that’s going to beat him, I think it’s us.
“I’m looking forward to the challenge, and I think it’ll be a good race.”
QTIS 2YO CLASSIC ODDS
Race 7 – 
#1 Better Rain (10)
2yo Gelding | T: Tom Smith | J: Les Tilley (57kg)