The Missile Stakes meeting will be held at Royal Randwick this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney over the next couple of days, Randwick will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
The Godolphin colt Osorno can take out the opening event at Randwick (Sydney Race 1, 1200m). After the 3YO failed in the Baillieu Stakes in the Autumn, he went for a spell. James Cummings has given Osorno 2 trials in preparation for his return and he duly won when 1st up over Saturday’s trip 16 days ago. Osorno is fitter and from barrier 5, Glyn Schofield can take a seat behind the leading bunch. Expect Osorno to finish strongly.
Mark Newnham-trained Sweet Victory will go back in trip in the Everest Carnival On Sale Handicap (Sydney Race 4, 1800m). Sweet Victory ran a close 2nd over 1800m three starts back before finishing 6th and then a 5th when he struggled a little to run out the 2000m. Back to 1800m will really suit. Sweet Victory is rock hard fit and champion hoop Hugh Bowman will be on board on Saturday. Nicely drawn in barrier 3, Bowman can settle behind the leaders on the fence. With a cushy run in transit, Sweet Victory will be hard to hold out in the run home.
It’s hard to go past race favourite Kementari in the Missile Stakes (Sydney Race 7, 1200m). One of the stars of the Autumn Carnival, Kementari won 3 Group races in a row culminating to his victory in the Group 1 Randwick Guineas. James Cummings has given the Lonhro 4YO 2 soft trials in preparation for his 1st up run on Saturday. Kementari loves Randwick as he has won twice from 3 starts at the venue, with his only failure at Randwick came in the Doncaster Handicap. Glyn Schofield will be back on board Kementari and he boasts an unbeaten record winning 3 from 3 on the stallion. Beautifully drawn in barrier 4, Schofield will settle just behind the pace and Kementari will be ready to pounce in the straight. Hard to beat.
By Owens Wong, Editor
