The Missile Stakes meeting will be held at Rosehill Gardens this Saturday. The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Thursday and with fine weather in Sydney leading up to the weekend, Rosehill will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
Sepoy mare Alizee looks the good in the Missile Stakes (Sydney Race 4, 1200m). The 4YO has a great 1st up record winning 3 times from 4 attempts and she has only ever missed a placing once over 1200m having won 3 races with two 2nds from 6 starts. James Cummings has given Alizee two trials to get her ready for her resumption to racing and she put in an extremely eye-catching effort when she took out her second trial (at Randwick over 900m on 3oth July). Alizee settled 5th and she simply cruised down the outside under her own steam to take out the trial by 1.3 lengths. She will be at very short odds on Saturday but she’s going to be hard to beat.
The talented filly Lucicello has come of age and can go on with her winning streak in the Listed Rosebud (Sydney Race 5, 1100m). After an unplaced effort on debut in the Widden Stakes in January, Lucicello was sent for a spell and did not return until June. She finished third at Randwick 1st up and the filly had gone on to win her two subsequent starts. Last week at Rosehill, Tommy Berry bided his time before he guided her out to the middle of the track and swooped past the field, going away to a 2.3 lengths win. Down on the limit weight of 53kg, Berry will once again go back in the field before flashing home in the straight.
The Bjorn Baker-trained Drachenfels has been entered in a very winnable race in the Dooleys Handicap (Sydney Race 6, 1400m). The 6YO gelding has been racing consistently on wet tracks but back on a Good track on Saturday will certainly suit him better. He finished a good 2nd last start when stepping up to 1400m and the same trip on Saturday will suit. The blinkers will help Drachenfels settle a bit closer to the speed from barrier 6 and he’s rock hard fit after 5 runs this campaign. Drachenfels is ready to break through for his first win this preparation.
By Owens Wong, Editor
