Special Missile to step up in distance
Consistent gelding Special Missile can add a new string to his bow when he steps up to 1600 metres for the first time at Randwick.
Trainer John Thompson has set the four-year-old a fresh task after a sequence of near misses for the on-speed runner.
Special Missile has raced up to 1550m and Thompson doubts the transition will be difficult when he tackles the Racing To Win Handicap (1600m) a fortnight after a fourth in the Octagonal Handicap (1400m) at Rosehill.
In his previous start Special Missile was nosed out of his first win since last winter by King Darci over 1500m while he was also denied by a short neck by Tougherthantherest in his other start during May.
“It’s been a bit frustrating watching him go so close. He’s been running well and he hasn’t missed a beat between runs but the way he races, they can sort of attack him in shorter races,” Thompson said.
“Stepping up to a mile, he might be able to dictate a bit better.”
Special Missile has five wins and six placings from 17 starts.
“He’s a consistent horse. He gives you a hundred per cent all of the time,” Thompson said.
“Ideally I didn’t want to step back to 1400 last start but that was the only race available for him.”
Randwick was in the heavy range on Tuesday, and although more rain was forecast before Saturday Thompson was unperturbed.
“He got second on a bottomless track at Wyong. He handles heavy well and Randwick isn’t going to be bottomless,” he said.
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