Special Missile fires up for maiden win

Special Missile has finally found the ideal launch pad for a maiden win at Warwick Farm on a track infinitely better than his last attempt.

The John Thompson-trained three-year-old started favourite at Wyong on June 8 with the meeting called off after he raced and ran second.

He broke his duck on Wednesday after showing no ill-effects from that energy-sapping run on the heavy track.

“He’s been knocking on the door. He’s been consistent. You see with each run he’s just got that little bit better,” trainer John Thompson said.

Special Missile ($6) powered clear from the 200m mark to claim the 3YO Maiden Handicap by a length from Star Of Monsoon ($5).

“He ran on that terrible track at Wyong when they had the one race and called it off. It was bottomless and he just struggled to get through that. A fitter horse (Sunset Jewel) beat him,” Thompson said.

“Hopefully that win gives him a bit of confidence and he goes on from here.

“Third run in he’s at his peak. The favourite (Tivoli Street, 4th) went a bit quick up front I thought and set it up for him to come over the top of them.”

Sydney’s premiership-leading jockey Brenton Avdulla, who also rode Special Missile at Wyong, was impressed with the horse’s performance over the 1300m on the soft-rated track.

“We thought we’d be positive but when everything booted up underneath me I let him come back and travel for me,” Avdulla said.

“I never had any cover but I kept him flowing. I just kicked him into a rhythm and he was too good for them.”

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Noviero also claimed his maiden win against his fellow two-year-olds, leading all the way over 1400m.

The $2.40 favourite held the chasers, led by Godolphin duo Animalia ($4.40) and Stone ($8.50) at bay to triumph by a head under Adam Hyeronimus.

“Adam was able to rate him perfectly. He got a few cheap sectionals there,” Bott said.

“He looked to wander a little bit today but when the horses joined in I loved the way he was in for the fight. It was a little bit tight, but he got the job done.”