We take a big step towards the return of Group 1 racing in Sydney at Royal Randwick this weekend.
The Group 2 Missile Stakes headlines ten races and has drawn a stunning field of sprinters, including Angel Capital, Ninja and Napoleonic.
You can find my Randwick best bets below, including my 2026 Missile Stakes tips.
With a case to be made for many of them, I’m keen to be with the second up LET’S GO AGAIN in this week’s Midway Handicap.
Having turned in some fine performances without recording an elusive victory last time in, Let’s Go Again was set a task from a wide alley at Kembla Grange when resuming last month but kicked away for an impressive win.
While facing an obvious rise in class, the Turffontein mare is open to plenty of improvement and certainly looks capable of going on with it.
| 5. Let’s Go Again (9) J: Siena Grima 57kg 420×1T: Kerry Parker | |||
| Dual acceptor. Second run back. First-up after five months favourite; won by 1.0 len at Kembla Grange Prov Bm68 July 16 over 1200m defeating Heuristic carrying 56kg at $3.40. Previously second-up 6th of 14 at this track Midway Bm72 on December 13 over 1200m, 1.75 len behind Oui Oui Oui with 56kg at $26. Will need to go to another level to compete in this field. | |||
READY TO RUSH is first up into a winnable Highway Handicap at Randwick on Saturday.
The Better Than Ready mare hasn’t been seen at the races since November, but she hardly put a hoof wrong during her debut prep, winning two of three starts and only just missing on the other occasion.
She gets into the race well under the conditions and maps to get an ideal run in transit.
| 16. Ready To Rush (1) J: Rachel King 54kg 121xT: Matthew Dale | |||
| Resumes from a spell. Not seen since winning by 0.7 len Gundagai Cl1 November 14 over 1100m defeating Paparazzo with 56kg at $3.70. On debut won by 0.5 len Cootamundra Mdn October 5 over 1100m defeating Will One with 57kg at $3.20. Will improve on whatever she does today. | |||
AVISTA rates as a key winning chance again on Missile Stakes Day.
The Maurice mare was only just denied on debut at Scone back in November and is since unbeaten, going for a break after a dominant maiden victory, while returning this time for consecutive victories in Class 1 and BM66 grade respectively.
This is another rise in class, but she’s still got plenty of upside, while the booking of James McDonald further enhances of her chances of some maiden metro success.
| 5. Avista (4) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 31×11T: Paul Messara & Leah Gavranich | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming favourite; won by 1.5 len at Scone Cl1 July 10 over 1300m on a rain affected track defeating Rockthevelio with 57.5kg at $1.80. Second run from a spell favourite; was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by 4.5 len at Muswellbrook Bm66 July 26 over 1500m defeating Hinune carrying 59kg at $1.16. Ready to deliver in town. | |||
ELLE HUDSON chases a hat-trick of victories this weekend.
He did take a few runs to sharpen up when returning to action this time, but after a nice victory in provincial company at Newcastle two back, getting out to the mile and a half proved ideal on the Kensington course here last time when he strode away to win by nearly four lengths.
In peak order and sticking to the genuine staying trip, this is the perfect opportunity for him to transition into Saturday metro company.
| 3. Elle Hudson (5) J: Sam Clipperton 57kg 27411T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Last start favourite; won by 4 len at Randwick Kensington Bm72 (71) July 29 over 2400m on a soft track defeating War Ribbon with 58.5kg at $2.60. Before that favourite; won by 1.1 len at Newcastle Bm64 July 14 over 2200m in soft going defeating Alnair with 60kg at $2.70. Going well but this will test. | |||
PERFECT JUSTICE looks well placed again at Randwick this week.
He hasn’t turned in a poor performance since resuming, and while winning just one of five runs back this time, he’s placed second a further three times, all in races not dissimilar to this one.
Getting out to the 1800m here last time out proved to be just a bridge too far, so the drop back to a mile this week suits.
He’s in peak order, drawn to effect and gets some relief in the weights.
| 6. Perfect Justice (4) J: Siena Grima 58.5kg 42212T: John Sargent | |||
| Form hard to fault. At the latest run made ground from midfield; 2nd of 11 at this track Cg&E Bm78 on July 25 over 1800m, on a slow track; neck behind Sly Boots with 55.5kg at $4.20. The start before that won by a long-neck at this track Midway Bm72 July 11 over 1600m on a heavy track defeating The Mona Lisa carrying 56kg at $4.20. Expected to go well again with the better set-up. | |||
AMAZING EAGLE is third up into a nice race on Missile Stakes Day.
Having hit the line to only just miss over this route when resuming back in May, the Capitalist gelding has been kept fresh after failing to get into the contest of a similar race in early June.
Often, his best performances have been produced on fresh legs and with a light weight in tow this week, he can go forward and make his own luck under one of the best front-running riders in the country, Tim Clark.
| 8. Amazing Eagle (5) J: Tim Clark 55kg 5x28xT: Bjorn Baker | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign eighth of 13 at this track Bm78 June 6 over 1000m, soft track; 4.5 len behind Ice Kool with 61kg at $4.80. Previously first up; second of 9 at this track Bm78 May 23 over 1000m, on heavy track; a head behind Prima Bella with 60kg at $4.40. Can play a leading role fresh. | |||
TAZIMA has been in outstanding form recently and rates as a key chance again this week.
Having won four of his last five starts, including three in succession leading up to this race, the Awtaad gelding has found form around some quality opposition and has won on good, soft and heavy going.
He need only hold his form this week to be right in the finish again.
| 5. Tazima (1) J: James McDonald 56.5kg 13111T: Chris Waller | |||
| Recent form sound. Last start favourite; won by 2 len at this track Bm88 July 11 over 1800m on a heavy track defeating Boniface with 58.5kg at $3.90. The run before that favourite; won by a neck at this track Bm88 June 20 over 1800m on a soft track defeating Boniface with 55.5kg at $3.70. Well placed. Has the right credentials and is expected to go well again. | |||
Just eight horses have accepted but what we’re lacking in size, the 2026 Missile Stakes field certainly makes up for in quality.
With some lofty targets set this time in, I’m siding with ANGEL CAPITAL fresh from a break.
While he’s yet to break through for an elusive win at the highest level, rarely is Angel Capital far away, and he was typically strong in featured company last time in, running second in two Group 1 contests most notably.
At his best, he easily accounts for most of these, and he’s had the benefit of a couple of trials in the lead up.
Check out our full 2026 Missile Stakes Tips, Predictions & Best Bets now available!
| 1. Angel Capital (3) J: James McDonald 57.5kg 4326xT: Chris Waller | |||
| Entire returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last campaign sixth of 13 at this track in the G1 All Aged April 18 over 1400m, 2.5 len behind Beiwacht with 59kg at $3.40. Previously first up; fourth in a small field at this track in the G2 Expressway February 14 over 1200m, 3.5 len behind Joliestar carrying 57.5kg at $2.90. Proven Group 1 sprinter with an exceptional first-up record. | |||
JELLICIOUS gets a nice chance to win at Randwick this week.
She’s yet to strike this time in, but Jellicious is another galloper that has seemingly been knocking on the door in recent weeks, and a fortnight ago she was only just denied by a fit and talented once in Sword Of Legacy.
I think she’ll relish getting back here to Randwick and in peak order, I don’t think she’ll get a better chance to strike in Saturday metro company.
| 2. Jellicious (10) J: James McDonald 59kg 88642T: Chris Waller | |||
| Racing well recently. Most recently made ground from midfield; 2nd of 9 at Rosehill F&M Bm78 on July 18 over 1200m, on rain affected going; neck behind Sword Of Legacy carrying 58.5kg at $9. The race before that 4th of 8 at Rosehill F&M Bm78 on July 4 over 1100m, on a slow track; 2.25 len behind Big Red Tequila with 57kg at $9. Expected to go well on the firmer surface. | |||
COLUMBIA BLUE rates as a key winning chance again.
The son of Yes Yes Yes has only made eight appearances at the races since debuting, but he’s certainly stamped himself as one to follow by winning four times and finishing the runner up a further three.
His latest performance to get up in a similar race at Rosehill suggested he’ll take beating again this week, particularly with further improvement.
| 3. Columbia Blue (6) J: Adam Hyeronimus 60kg 16×21T: Joseph Pride | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up raced on speed throughout when 2nd of 11 at Rosehill Cg&E Bm78 on July 4 over 1100m, slow going nose behind Polyglot carrying 56kg at $4.60. Last start favourite; came from midfield and won by 0.5 len at Rosehill Cg&E Bm78 July 18 over 1200m on a heavy track defeating Snack Bar with 57.5kg at $2.30. Fitter now and should handle the weight rise. | |||