Misty Metal Nears Return After Top Trial
Misty Metal made light work of her barrier trial at Belmont today (Monday) and is ready to resume her delayed winter campaign in a fortnight.
Rob and Todd Harvey’s speedy mare jumped to the front for jockey Shaun McGruddy and was never headed when cruising to a six length victory.
“She needed a good hit out and was absolutely cruising,” Todd Harvey told The Races WA.
“He (McGruddy) didn’t really let her off the bridle.
“It was really pleasing and she has pulled up brilliant.”
Misty Metal returns to Belmont to kick off her campaign on July 11 in the Listed Beaufine Stakes (1000m). The Bolton Sprint (1200m) two weeks later is also in contention.
The gun Oratorio mare is back on track after a leg injury kept her out of the Group 3 Roma Cup (1200m) at Ascot last month.
“She had quite a nasty abscess and it was quite worrying for a while,” Harvey said.
“It was giving her grief for a bit, but she is now in good order.
“We’re on top of it and since it cleared she hasn’t looked back.”
Misty Metal has won 10 of 22 races including the Jungle Mist (1200m), Summer Scorcher (1000m) and Miss Andretti Stakes (1200m) at Listed level.
Raced by Lex and Shirley Piper, the five-year-old has not raced since last November’s Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes when 11th to Hey Doc.
Nearing retirement to the breeding barn, Harvey says he would love to see Misty Metal continue her racing beyond Belmont’s two feature sprints.
“He’s (Piper) had a lot of interest in people wanting to buy her,” Harvey said.
“I guess we will be guided by her, if she races really well she might have another season.
“I would love to have one more with her, she’s been a beauty.
“It would be nice to win another one with her.”
Julio Santarelli