Trainers to use Missile Stakes as guide to what will launch at Everest
It might be an audition over The Everest course, but Saturday’s Missile Stakes will also be a test of progress for the rest of the spring for major combatants Kementari, Pierata, and She Will Reign.
Trainers will use the race to assess where they stand against rivals at Randwick and if The Everest is the right target.
“Pierata is going as well as he was last preparation when he won first-up,” Greg Hickman said. “But we need to know where we stand against a horse like Kementari.
“Of course we would like to go to The Everest but we have to prove to slot-holders that we are worth a spot.
“I guess on Sunday everything we will be a lot clearer; until then we are all guessing a bit.”
Randwick Guineas winner Kementari has been made the $2 favourite for the Missile Stakes in front of Pierata at $4.20 with She Will Reign and Music Magnate on the $9 line.
Glyn Schofield will ride Godolphin’s star four-year-old, who returns after finishing midfield in the Doncaster at his last appearance.
“He is so dynamic that he could do anything,” Schofield said of Kementari. “It will be interesting to see him back and what he can do.”
Godolphin trainer James Cummings said Kementari’s program was not set in stone and there were plenty of options for him.
“We want to see if he is a Missile horse on Saturday and then we can look what way he could go,” Cummings said. “He has a great turn of foot but you want to see him do it at this level.
“He is a talented sprinter-miler, and we will be guided by his performances where he might head, whether to sprint or not.
“You have to focus on one way or other – it is either sprinting or step up in distance, you can’t do both. It is a decision that has to be made quickly.
“With the Everest, the right people will be dealing with [Godolphin Australian boss] Vin [Cox], which allows me to be a trainer.”
Gary Portelli added: "This is a group 1 race when you look at the field and it will tell you whether you are just dreaming about the Everest or if it's reality."
Another Everest slot became available on Wednesday after Menari broke down in his near fore suspensory tendon, meaning he will miss the spring and possibly be retired. The injury was sustained in a jump-out with Everest favourite Trapeze Artist at Rosehill on Tuesday.
Menari had been locked into Max Whitby and Neil Werrett’s slot. Now they, the ATC and GPI Racing have a slots available in the elite dozen.
Premier trainer Chris Waller started the new racing season with four winners on the seven-race card at Warwick Farm on Wednesday. He combined with James McDonald to win the opening race of the season with Charge, before Follow Suit, Sweet Scandal and Impasse saluted.
Meanwhile, Victorian jockeys are refusing to do media interviews after talks over a pay rise in their Enterprise Bargaining Agreement stalled with Racing Victoria.
"We note that the jockeys have been directed not to conduct any media interviews, which is to the detriment of the industry, in particular punters, owners and racing fans," an RV spokesperson said.
"Racing Victoria remains committed to reaching a fair and reasonable outcome on the fees paid to jockeys competing in Victoria at the earliest opportunity."