Spring racing is in full swing with some quality racing over the weekend as we witnessed Winx continue her winning streak and some horses continuing through their campaigns toward their respective targets including The Everest, Cox Plate, Caulfield and Melbourne Cups (only to name a few). Yesterday also saw the official 2 year old trials held at Royal Randwick where some top priced yearlings stepped out in public, some for the very first time, while others made the float trip from Melbourne to trial. Our very own Shine Tak Field (Deep Field x Charlety Star) trialled nicely and has earned himself a nice 3 week break.
While some of the team were getting ready for Shine Tak Field’s trial, some of us were anxiously awaiting the final scracthings for the Cessnock Meeting. There are times when owning and training a racehorse can be frustrating, a good example of that is when nominating for races and you are placed in the race as an emergency. However, being a 4th emergency is another story and requires trainers to speak with connections about other options of where to run the horse. Our eyes were cast to Race 3 as we had Missile Attack (Smart Missile x Empress Lily) hoping and waiting for a start, one would think this would be impossible to get three scratchings. Earlier in the week, our chances looked grim- however as the sun shone over Randwick yesterday, the scratching gods worked in our favour, John getting the call we had been anxiously waiting for- Missile Attack gained a start!
Adrenline then kicked in as we scrambled to find a space for him on a float to get him to the races, luckily our trusty friends at Goldners were able to accommodate and very early in the morning the horse was brushed and prepared before being put on the float headed up north.
Race 3 scheduled to jump at 2:10pm, we were also challenged with having to make a late jockey change in which Grant Buckley came to our rescue and could take the ride on Missile Attack. Jumping cleanly from the gates and upon settling Buckley position just behind the leading pack. 600m to go and Missile Attack is kicked into gear by Grant and begins to make his move, sitting 3 wide on the turn with clear running for home. As the finishing post neared closer there was a good 3 way battle going on with Missile Attack just pipped at the post beaten by the slightest nod of the head.
John very impressed with the run hopes now that this will see the horse accepted into more race fields so that the horse can show the ability we all know he has.
Congratulations to the patient connections on a very close second, hopefully with a win not too far away.
Watch the race replay below:
