Missile Stakes

Winners and Past Results

Established in 1978 as a Group 3 race, the 1100 metre Missile Stakes is hosted by the Australian Turf Club at Rosehill Racecourse in August during the Sydney spring racing carnival. The Missile Stakes is run under weight for age conditions and offers $125,000 to the winning connections. Free $200 Bet

It is the first group race of the carnival, and as such garners a lot of attention. The event is open to horses three years and above and always attracts a good field in different stages of preparation.

Horses that compete in the Missile Stakes are often having their first outing after a winter spell and look to start their spring campaign in Sydney and Melbourne on a good note. Sometimes, contestants come off a successful winter campaign, using the Missile Stakes as the last race before a spell. History indicates that horses coming in from their winter campaign usually have an advantage over rested horses. In 2010, Love Conquers All used the June Stakes held at Randwick as a lead up event to the Missile Stakes, winning both races. The key to making sense of the field is to look at horses with a balance of fitness and freshness.

After this many horses will often compete in the 1400 M Group 2 Warwick Stakes held at Warwick Farm Racecourse, the 1600 M Chelmsford Stakes at the Randwick track, or the 1200 M Group 2 Premiere Stakes at the same venue. All the three events are weight for age events although distances vary. Some horses such as German Chocolate in 2007 and Spark of Life in 2004 have gone on to win the Missile Stake and Premiere Stake double.

Some Missile Stakes winners have gone on to stamp their authority on the Australian race tracks. These include Commands in 1999, Lonhro in 2002, Pompeii in 2003, Dance Hero in 2005, and Love Conquers All in 2010. Campaign King in 1987 and 1988, Joanne in 1991 and 1992, and Klokka in 1993 and 1994, are the notable gallopers with back to back victories.

The 2011 Missile Stakes was won by Rain Affair, who was sired by Commands. Rain Affair finished his season here with six wins in six handicaps he contested in. Winter King who came in second, just came out of his winter spell, and went on to finish runner up in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes at Warwick Farm, and finished third in the Group 2 The Shorts at Rosehill Garden Racecourse.

2011 Missile Stakes

Up and coming Rain Affair took on his toughest assignment to date and came up a winner, even though there was nothing in it. Corey Brown took Rain Affair straight to the lead and was two lengths clear as they approached the turn. Unfancied Winter King loomed as a serious threat and closed the gap, actually taking the lead in the straight before Rain Affair fought back for a brave, if narrow, victory. Pinwheel had punters taking note after running on well for third.

2011 Missile Stakes result

1. Rain Affair
2. Winter King
3. Pinwheel

Then came:

4. Neeson
5. Centennial Park
6. Triple Elegance
7. Squamosa
8. O'Crikey
9. Here De Angels