One time Golden Slipper favourite Smart Missile has produced an impressive track gallop at Randwick and looks on target to kick off his campaign in the Group Three Run to the Rose later this month.
Glen Boss is confident Smart Missile has the ability to have a big spring carnival
Smart Missile has not raced since being scratched from the barrier just seconds before the running of this year’s Golden Slipper, however jockey Glen Boss is confident the three year old is set for a bumper spring carnival.
“He went lovely. He wasn’t there to run any time, I just wanted to see how he felt,” Boss said.
“He felt terrific and he trails next Friday at Randwick. He’s in great shape. He’s put on really good weight, he’s turned into a real athletic horse. He’s just a bigger unit now.”
Boss also confirmed that Anthony Cummings would bring the classy colt back to the races on August 27 in the Run to the Rose.
In a mark of how highly Glen Boss rates the three year old, he has chosen to ride Smart Missile ahead of multiple Group One winner Shamrocker.
Boss was aboard Shamrocker in her Australian Guineas and AJC Derby victories, and he firmly believes the Anthony Cummings trained three year old could have a similar amount of success this spring.
“Things happen for a reason. He’s had a nice break now and I can’t wait to get back on him,” Boss said.
Boss has given up the ride on Shamrocker in the Memsie Stakes (which is the same day as Smart Missile’s Run to the Roses race), however it is believed he will be aboard the mare as she progresses in the carnival.
The Run to the Rose is one of the major lead up events to the Group One Golden Rose, and punters have warmed to Smart Missile, installing him as a $5.00 second favourite for the Group One event. The horse ahead of Smart Missile in the pre-post market is Sepoy – however there is no guarantee that the classy colt will target the race anyway.
Smart Missile is the only horse to defeat Sepoy in a race. That came in the Todman Stakes, however Sepoy was disadvantaged by a bog track that day.
Cummings will be looking for a repeat of the 2008 Golden Rose, when he trained Duporth to victory.
