Missile’s Star Showdown To Determine Carnival Path
8 June, 2018
Thoroughbred
Progressive stayer Missile Launch will put his Spring and Summer Carnival credentials on the line at Belmont tomorrow, when he steps up to 2000m in the Marina East Waterfront Apartments By Blackburne Handicap.
After running a game second to Taxagano first-up on April 14, Missile Launch recorded back-to-back victories over 1600m and 1800m on May 5 and 19 respectively.
The Smart Missile gelding steps up to the 2000m for the first time tomorrow, and up to 78+ grade and meets arguably the toughest field he has come up against in his career, highlighted by the inform Galaxy Star.
TABtouch have Galaxy Star a $1.60 favourite, while Missile Launch is on the second line of betting at $4.20, and Geraldton Cup winner At The Ready at $4.40.
Missile Launch, a winner at six of his nine starts, will once again team up with jockey Patrick Carbery in tomorrow’s staying event, and Carbery said he would know a lot more about Missile Launch after tomorrow.
“This will define where he heads,” he said.
“I’ve always had a fair opinion of the horse, he’s taken every step we’ve asked him to.
“It’s the first test for him over the distance, but I don’t think it will be a concern.”
Carbery admitted barrier 10 could prove to be a tricky obstacle for Missile Launch to overcome, but does carry 1.5kg less than Galaxy Star, which he felt would play in to his favour.
“He’s a big horse, and needs a bit of room, so he shouldn’t be getting cluttered up on the fence,” he said.
“Galaxy Star has been quite an exciting horse and has a very good turn of foot.
“My bloke doesn’t have much of a turn of foot, but hopefully we are within striking range of Galaxy Star at the top of the straight, and we can keep grinding out and get over the top of her.”
Carbery also has the ride on Paddy’s Shadow in the Lavazza Plate (1400m) for the three-year-olds.
A winner at two of her five career starts, Paddy’s Shadow finished second to Arcadia Prince at her first-up run on May 26, but has been dealt barrier 14 tomorrow.
Carbery’s only other ride in single figures is four-year-old gelding Sovereign Trade in the Heineken 3 Handicap (1400m), following his first-up win at Pinjarra on May 23.
The first event at Belmont gets underway at 12.19pm tomorrow, with the Listed Beaufine Stakes the feature event on the program at 3.30pm.
Tim Walker