The 2019 Missile Stakes headlines a big day of racing at Rosehill Gardens this afternoon and that means that the Spring Racing Carnival is just about here!
There are only five horses in the Missile Stakes field, but it includes Group 1 winners Alizee and Le Romain as well as talented mare Invincible Gem.
Le Romain
Le Romain is back for another crack at the Missile Stakes after he finished second behind Invincible Gem in 2017. It has been over a year ago since Le Romain recorded a race win, when he won the Show County Quality, and he wasn’t as consistent as he normally is last campaign. He does run well fresh and you can never completely rule him out, but he does look a touch under the odds in Missile Stakes betting.
Vegadaze
Vegadaze showed his quality last campaign when he finished second behind The Autumn Sun in the Hobartville Stakes. He didn’t seem to run out the trip in the Randwick Guineas and he looks likely to be kept to shorter trips this campaign. The Lope De Vega gelding definitely has upside, but this is a step-up in quality and he has never done anything to suggest that he is capable of beating
Dissolute
Dissolute is on the quick back-up after finishing fifth behind Roheryn at Royal Randwick last weekend. His form before that was poor and he will be completely outclassed in this field. There should be a zero at the end of his price.
Alizee
Alizee is clearly the horse to beat in the Missile Stakes. She won the Expressway Stakes in simply effortless fashion first-up in the Autumn, where she beat Le Romain, and her trial ahead of her return to the races was nothing short of outstanding. On her best form she does have a genuine class edge over the rest of this field and it is tough to see her getting beaten. Hugh Bowman will be able to keep her out of trouble from barrier three and the $1.50 currently available is legitimate value.
Invincible Gem
Invincible Gem won the Missile Stakes in 2017 and has the chance to become the first horse to win the race in non-consecutive years since Rain Affair. The I Am Invincible mare isn’t the most consistent galloper in the world, but he is capable of a high-rating performance on her day and she did beat Le Romain in this race a couple of years ago. Her trials ahead of her return to the races have been good and it would not surprise to see her beat Le Romain home again in 2019.