2022 Missile Stakes Race Details

Race 8 at Randwick on Saturday 6 August 2022.

The Missile Stakes is a Group 2 1200 metre set weights plus penalties race for the three-year-olds and upwards that is run by the Australian Turf Club in August. It is normally run at Randwick during the winter.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races, and past winners on the Missile Stakes page.

Missile Stakes 2022 Preview

Track: Soft Weather: Sunny

Twelve runners have accepted for the $250,000 Group 2 Missile Stakes and there have been no early scratchings. The Kris Lee stable saddles up four runners for the event, and the Bjorn Baker stable has two runners engaged, meanwhile, the rest of the trainers just have one entry each.

Forbidden Love is making her return to the track following 112 days away and she will be looking continue where she left off in the Autumn. The winner of the Guy Walter, Canterbury Stakes, and George Ryder has had one trial in preparation for this and she is the logical $3.30 favourite. Count De Rupee is at $5.50 and he is the second favourite in the market. He has had an 84-day freshen-up following a win in the Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm before finishing well back in the Doomben 10,000.

Belluci Babe rounds out the top three in the betting at $6.00. She was ultra-consistent during her Autumn campaign, finishing no further back than fourth in her eight starts which ended in a third in the Sapphire Stakes.

Missile Stakes Runner by Runner

1. Count De Rupee (7)

Back from an 84-day freshen where he had one nice trial. Prior to that, he won the Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm before finishing well back in the Doomben 10,000. Drying track aids his chances and at his best, he could be right in this finish.

2. Hilal (5)

Returning after a 140-day break. He placed in the Hobartville and Randwick Guineas last preparation before a failure in the George Ryder. One trial in preparation for this. Drawn well but I think he will need the run.

3. Forbidden Love (10)

Returning after 112 days off. The winner of the Guy Walter, Canterbury Stakes, and George Ryder in the Autumn has had one trial in preparation for this. Drawn wide but should follow the speed over to be prominent. Ran well first-up last preparation over the same distance and grade. Top chance.

4. Nimalee (11)

Returning after 119 days off. Finished off last preparation with a big win in the Queen of the Turf. Goes well first-up but might 1200m might be a bit sharp against these.

5. Gem Song (4)

Coming from a solid placing in the Ramornie Handicap at Grafton. Had a fitness edge on most and he will appreciate the drying track, though he is 0/6 at Randwick. Place chance.

6. Special Reward (12)

Returning after 154 days off. Winner of the Carrington Stakes last prep has had two trials in preparation for this, and he generally goes okay first-up. Tough to have.

7. Embracer (6)

Returning after 175 days off. Had one start in the Autumn where he finished a distant last, being found to be 2/5 lame. Sent to the paddock and has since trialled three times, with the latest an eight-length trial win. Noted performer first-up and is drawn ideally to get a nice run throughout. Could be a live chance with the right run.

8. Hard Empire (2)

Finished 3.5 lengths back in eleventh in the Ramornie Handicap first-up, despite running the quickest final 200m of the entire meeting. Drawn better here but I prefer others.

9. Prime Candidate (9)

On the quick backup following a fifth in a benchmark 94 last start. Maps well despite the draw and has a fitness edge on most. 0/9 at Randwick in the past. Place chance.

10. Belluci Babe (3)

Returning after 119 days off. Finished no further back than fourth in her eight starts last preparation, which ended in a third in the Sapphire Stakes. Goes well first-up, drawn well, gets James McDonald and has had two trials in preparation for this. Expect a bold display.

11. Wandabaa (1)

42-day freshen up. Placed in the Dark Jewel Classic and Moreton Cup before finishing a 4.6 length tenth in the Tattersalls Tiara. Has had one trial since and she should have some nice residual fitness. Place chance at best.

12. Enchanted Heart (8)

On the quick backup from last weekend’s benchmark 94. She is 0/7 at Randwick and will need to go to another level to impact here.

Missile Stakes 2022 Tips

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips
 Jo’s Tips
3 Forbidden Love 3 Forbidden Love
1 Count De Rupee 7 Embracer
10 Belluci Babe 1 Count De Rupee
7 Embracer 4 Nimalee

Previews for other races this week

Group 3 Aurie’s Star Handicap 2022 (Flemington 1200m)

2022 Missile Stakes Final Results

Result Horse Margin
1st 8 Hard Empire
2nd 11 Wandabaa 0.58 length
3rd 5 Gem Song 0.69 length
4th 12 Enchanted Heart 2.25 lengths

The track was rated as Soft 5.

Scratchings: –