The first Group race of the 2015 – 2016 racing season to be run is Sydney has brought together a small field of nine runners in the Group 2 $175,000 McGrath Estate Agents Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.
The numbers were actually boosted after only six horses were nominated when entries closed on Monday and the Australian Turf Club extended the deadline until Tuesday morning and were rewarded with extra noms including the highly fancied Temple Of Boom.
The Queensland based sprinter had been preparing for his Spring Carnival campaign in Sydney on his way to Melbourne but trainer Tony Gollan changed tact and will now send him around at Randwick to kick off his Spring.
Temple Of Boom has been a consistent performer at the highest level since winning the 2012 Group 1 $350,000 The James Boag Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick and the nine year old is having his first run back since running fourth to Srikandi in the Group 1 $2m AAMI Stradbroke Handicap (1350m) at Doomben on June 6 during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.
The veteran sprinter has indicted that he is in for a good campaign with a four lengths barrier trial win at Randwick on July 31 and is currently on the second line of betting at Ladbrokes at $4.60 with Winona Costin to ride.
The Team Hawkes trained Messene with Tommy Berry aboard, heads the market order at $3.30 and is also resuming from a spell.
Messene has a very good fresh record with three wins and two seconds from six first up runs and will be looking to go one better this year after finishing second to Sweet Idea in the 2014 version of the weight for age sprint.
Premier trainer Chris Waller will only have one runner in the Missile Stakes after he decided against running late nom Royal Descent and will saddle up third favourite Weary.
Weary opened up at $5 on Wednesday when the final field was released and has remained steady at the price since.
The six year old grey is also resuming from a short break after running second to Pornichet in the Group 1 $650,000 The Bundaberg Rum Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben on May 9 and has won first up in the past.
The David Pfieffer trained Lord Leofric is stepping up to Group 2 company following a hat trick of wins in restricted grade and has been listed as one of the chances at $7 just ahead of Burbero at $8.
Burbero showed that he is up to this class with a win in the Group 2 $175,000 APN Outdoor Ajax Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill in March during the Sydney Autumn Carnival and has had the benefit of a run this campaign with a first up second to Brook Road in the $85,000 July Sprint (1100m) at Canterbury on July 25.
The old firm of Gai Waterhouse and Nash Rawiller are teaming up again with Liberty’s Choice who is the only other runner under double figures at $9.
The Redoute’s Choice gelding has had one run back from a spell for a fourth to Rugged Cross in the Listed $100,000 Sydney Markets Limited Winter Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on July 18, beaten less than a length.