A small but highly competitive field will contest Saturday’s Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Missile Stakes at Randwick, with several runners using the 1200 metre feature as the starting point for potentially lucrative spring campaigns.
Only eight horses have accepted, but the race carries considerable depth. Established Group 1 performer ANGEL CAPITAL heads the field alongside exciting four-year-old NINJA, while the consistent GANGSTA GRANNY brings an imposing fresh record into her return.
The $300,000 set weights and penalties contest also includes NAPOLEONIC, the rapidly improving MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE, WAY TO THE STARS, FULLY LIT and AVIATRESS.
ANGEL CAPITAL enters the Missile Stakes as the highest rated horse in the race and brings genuine Group 1 form into his first appearance of the new season.
The Chris Waller trained Yulong Investments owned entire finished third in the Newmarket Handicap and was narrowly beaten by Jigsaw in the William Reid Stakes during the autumn. He later finished sixth as favourite in the All-Aged Stakes, beaten only two and a half lengths in a race won by Beiwacht.
Those performances underlined his standing among Australia’s leading sprinters. His Newmarket effort was rated among the strongest performances of the meeting, while Racing.com noted before the William Reid that his talent had never been in doubt, even if his racing pattern occasionally left him with too much ground to recover.
The five-year-old has won five of his 15 starts and earned more than $2.2 million, but his most significant statistic heading into Saturday is his first up record.
Angel Capital has won four of his five previous starts when resuming, making him particularly dangerous fresh. He has also won twice over 1200 metres and will begin from barrier three with James McDonald aboard.
Waller has prepared him with two trials, allowing him to work through the line behind Beiwacht at Warwick Farm before another quiet hit out over 1000 metres at Randwick.
The Missile Stakes should provide an early indication of where Angel Capital sits heading towards the major spring sprints. He has already demonstrated that he can compete with the best, but another feature victory would strengthen his case for races at the highest level later in the carnival.
NINJA shapes as one of the most interesting runners as he takes on older horses after a successful three-year-old season.
The Michael Freedman trained gelding has won four of his eight starts, including the Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate and the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes.
His Vo Rogue victory came by almost five lengths after settling well back from a wide barrier, while he defeated NAPOLEONIC and Autumn Boy in authoritative fashion at Rosehill in the Hobartville.
That performance briefly elevated Ninja to the top line of betting for the Randwick Guineas, with his acceleration and ability to position closer to the speed suggesting he had developed into one of Sydney’s leading young horses.
He subsequently finished fifth in the Randwick Guineas over 1600 metres, but the drop back to 1200 metres should not be viewed as a negative.
Ninja finished third over this distance in Brisbane last December before producing three consecutive performances at 1300 and 1400 metres that established him as a serious stakes horse. His two previous first up runs have both resulted in third placings, and he has won both second up appearances.
Tommy Berry retains the ride, and the pair will begin from barrier six.
Ninja has also trialled strongly in preparation for his return. He followed NAPOLEONIC home in a 900-metre trial on heavy ground before reversing the result and winning his latest Randwick hit out on a Soft 5.
The Missile Stakes represents a different challenge against experienced sprinters, but his tactical speed and established partnership with Berry give him the opportunity to make an immediate impression.
GANGSTA GRANNY may receive weight from Angel Capital and Ninja, but her record suggests she belongs in the conversation as a genuine winning chance.
The Hawkes trained mare has finished in the top three in all 12 of her career starts, recording five wins, two seconds and five thirds.
She has been particularly effective over 1200 metres, winning four of nine appearances and placing in the remaining five. Her Randwick record is also strong, with a win and three placings from four starts at the track.
Her first up statistics are equally impressive. Gangsta Granny has two wins, a second and a third from four fresh appearances, while her second up record is identical.
She returned with a Group 3 victory in the Wenona Girl Quality during the autumn before finishing second from barrier 16 in the Star Kingdom Stakes and third in the Group 2 Sapphire Stakes.
That Wenona Girl victory was rated among the better performances on the Randwick card, reinforcing the merit of a mare who rarely produces a poor run.
Gangsta Granny has drawn barrier one and carries 54.5 kilograms, with Tim Clark taking the ride.
She also won her latest 1000 metre barrier trial at Randwick, travelling comfortably before finishing more than a length clear of Yellow Jersey.
The inside draw should allow Clark to settle close to the speed without using unnecessary energy. In a small field where tactical decisions could prove decisive, her ability to hold a position and quicken may become a major advantage.
While much of the attention will surround the returning stars, MIDNIGHT DYNAMITE arrives with race fitness and outstanding recent form.
The Bjorn Baker trained gelding has won nine of his 22 starts and comes into the race after victories in the Civic Stakes and Winter Challenge.
He defeated Whinchat over 1400 metres at Randwick before producing another decisive performance on heavy ground at Rosehill, carrying 57 kilograms and winning by almost three lengths.
The drop to 1200 metres creates a different test, but his versatility and ability to race prominently could make him difficult to run down if the race becomes tactical.
NAPOLEONIC also deserves respect after finishing third in the Doomben 10,000 during the winter. He has won three times over 1200 metres and recently traded trial wins with Ninja, suggesting both horses have returned in good condition.
The Missile Stakes has regularly provided an early guide to the spring, giving established performers and emerging horses an opportunity to test themselves before the major sprint races arrive.
Saturday’s edition presents several important questions.
Can Angel Capital convert his strong fresh record into another feature victory and get that much awaited Group One soon? Is Ninja ready to establish himself against older opposition? Can Gangsta Granny maintain her remarkable consistency while carrying the minimum weight?
The small field should ensure each runner receives an opportunity, but it could also place greater emphasis on tempo and positioning.
Angel Capital brings the strongest Group 1 form; Ninja has the greatest potential for further improvement and Gangsta Granny possesses the fresh record and race pattern to capitalise should the favourites leave themselves vulnerable.
For each of them, the Missile Stakes is more than an isolated August feature. It is the first opportunity to establish momentum and announce that they are ready to play a major role during the spring.
By Scott Bailey – iRACE
