3 minute read
Former WA sprinter Triple Missile is with a new stable and the latest horse confirmed for The Quokka.
Now with Grant & Alana Williams, Triple Missile is the latest horse to be confirmed for the $5 million The Quokka on April 20 at Ascot, racing under the Rapid Equine Racing slot, who own the horse.
Triple Missile was quickly on the scene as a Perth-based sprinter, winning his first three starts under initial trainer Todd Harvey and looking a very promising type with a big turn of foot.
At his fourth start, he ran third to multiple Group winning filly Kissonallforcheeks in the Listed Misty Valley Breeder's Classic (1200m), running to 93 on the Racing & Sports scale before switching to the Lindsey Smith stable in the Spring of 2021 and going through the grades nicely before venturing to Melbourne.
Most effective over 1200m and 1400m, Triple Missile would win the Golden Topaz at Swan Hill in 2022 by a widening two lengths, running to a new peak of 109+ with R&S, which he only continued to improve upon last year.
His get-back racing pattern means he does need things to fall his way, but the motor is clearly there, running to 111 first-up last preparation in the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) at Flemington with the fastest last 800m of the race behind Star Patrol, which would've put him about 7th in last year's edition.
He returned to Perth to run in last year's Group 1 Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) for Damien Oliver, notably starting $8 equal third pick in the market alongside Oscar's Fortune.
Barrier one was against him that day as the horse clipped heels mid-race and nearly fell- a clear forgive.
On his day he's shown he's capable of reeling off some very strong splits at the end of strongly run 1200m races, which is exactly what The Quokka promises to be.
The most interesting thing about Triple Missile is that he's no longer with Lindsey Smith, but with Grant & Alana Williams, who are one of the best training duos in the country.
They strike at 23.4% and are profitable on first-starters for the stable from other trainers, and if his recent trial at Lark Hill is anything to go by, he's absolutely humming.
William Pike, who is on track to return from injury prior to next month's The Quokka, was in the saddle for the 950m heat with the six-year-old running on strongly down the outside to win the trial, with top filly Super Smink hard ridden in third.
Pike will take the ride on leadng three-year-old Oscar's Fortune with Brad Parnham to ride Triple Missile in The Quokka, having been aboard in his first-up run for team Williams, where he unfortunately ran well below his best in the Group 3 Roma Cup (1100m).
He settled back in the field and struggled to make inroads, finishing fifth and beaten five lengths by Oscar's Fortune and Amelia's Jewel, running to 99 on the R&S scale, which is some 12 pounds off his best. If he'd run near to his best and finished top-three in the Roma Cup he'd have a decent each-way hope on Saturday, but it's hard to see where that improvement comes from.
He's drawn well in barrier 7 but will jump as one of the outsiders of the field with TABtouch offering up $101* in the final field.
*Odds correct 17/4/24.
About the Slot Holder: Rapid Equine Breeding
Rapid Equine Breeding/Balmoral Park Stud is situated 40km South East of the Perth CBD. The stunning property offers services which include Agistment, Spelling and Pre-Training Breaking In and Sales Preparation.
Balmoral Park Stud has 44 paddocks, all fenced with Horserail and all irrigated meaning safe and green paddocks for any equine guests at the property.
For the inaugural running of The Quokka, Rapid Equine Breeding chose the Stephen Wolfe-trained Red Can Man who performed admirably, running a close sixth at generous odds.
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