Racing
Ladbrokes Blog: 2025 Missile Stakes Day Preview
The Sydney Spring Carnival is just around the corner, and the first real hint of that is Missile Stakes Day at Royal Randwick!
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Frequently, the Missile Stakes has been won by a horse that is propelled into sprinting folklore, and with recent editions claimed by the likes of Schwarz, Eduardo and Pierata, it certainly holds a crucial position on the calendar.
I've run the rule over all ten races and provided my Randwick best bets for Missile Stakes Day 2025 below.
Race 1 - Midway Handicap (1100m)
No. 4 Opal Fields
Opal Fields has missed the kick at each of her first two runs back this time but finished off both races well.
She steps out third-up this week and strips fitter, and if she is cleanly away from gate 4, Chad Schofield can settle her a little closer in the run before asking for an extra effort.
This is an open race with plenty of winning chances engaged, and Opal Fields looks to represent value in the market if she can find her best form.
Bet Now: Randwick Race 1
Race 2 - Highway Handicap (1000m)
No. 3 Exit Fee
Exit Fee can bounce back third up from a spell.
The Ten Sovereigns gelding worked home well to finish half a length second over 1200m here when resuming, but his second campaign start was luckless and a rare drop in form.
I'm happy to put a line through that performance, and under the urgings of Zac Lloyd this week, he does look capable of hitting back.
Bet Now: Randwick Race 2
Race 3 - Petaluma Handicap (1200m)
No. 2 Regimental Colours
Regimental Colours has returned to the races in career-best form.
The All Too Hard mare resumed in June with a nice performance to break her maiden over 1100m at Warwick Farm and since then, she's gone from strength to strength, winning two of three subsequent starts.
Her first win in Saturday metro company here a fortnight ago was undoubtedly her best performance to date, and so long as she holds her form this week, I can't find a reason why she won't be in the finish again.
Bet Now: Randwick Race 3
Race 4 - Chandon Handicap (1400m)
No. 3 Tuileries
Tuileries needed her first run back from a break to dust off the cobwebs.
The So You Think mare was hammered in the market at Rosehill when resuming last month and jumped odds-on, and while she was less than a length behind the winner, she failed to fill the placings as well.
She won her only other second up run so far and given the form she has found in strong metropolitan company previously, she's certainly up to the task.
Bet Now: Randwick Race 4
Race 5 - Ranvet Handicap (1000m)
No. 5 Hi Dubai
Hi Dubai is another horse that I am keen to give another chance on Missile Stakes Day.
Hi Dubai's performance behind Cigar Flick here last time out was probably a little too bad to be true, particularly given her form prior to that run was strong, and included a win in BM78 company at Rosehill.
She steps out this week a fit horse, she gets some relief in the weights under Braith Nock, and she'll appreciate some cut in the track.
Bet Now: Randwick Race 5
Race 6 - Benchmark 78 Handicap (2400m)
No. 8 Funambulist
This looks to be one of the more open races on the program and there's a case to be made for a few of them, including Funambulist.
Funambulist stripped fitter through a few fair efforts in metro company when resuming this time in and relished stepping out on a heavy track at Warwick Farm a little over a week ago, working home to win the BM72 contest over 2200m.
This is harder, but he steps out in peak order, and getting out to the mile and a half looks to suit at this point of his preparation.
Bet Now: Randwick Race 6
Race 7 - Asahi Super Dry Handicap (1200m)
No. 3 Kerguelen
Kerguelen gets another great chance to win on Missile Stakes Day.
Having struck in BM78 company at Rosehill when resuming at the end of May, the Lonhro gelding has been well in the market at each of his three subsequent starts but has failed to convert another victory.
He ran into King Of Roseau at Rosehill last time out who has since won again in Group 3 company, and without a horse of that calibre engaged this week, Kerguelen can go one better.
Bet Now: Randwick Race 7
Race 8 - Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m)
No. 1 Private Eye
The Missile Stakes is always a strong race that attracts good sprinters and this year's edition is no exception.
That being said, Private Eye is a Group 1 winner, and I think he's going to take beating.
The veteran gelding has continued to turn in high quality performances in some of Australasia's best races in recent seasons, and he returned to action to finish third in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm back in June.
He's been kept fresh which is a positive, and from an inside barrier this week and under Nash Rawiller, I think he'll get every chance again.
Bet Now: Randwick Race 8
Race 9 - Precise Air Premier's Cup Prelude (1800m)
No. 2 Adelaide River
Another open race has materialised here and at publish, we're faced with $5.50 the field.
Adelaide River hasn't been seen at the races since October, but this looks a nice campaign launchpad for him.
Adelaide River had three starts in the spring, finishing fourth in the Chelmsford Stakes at Group 2 level here first up and ending his campaign fourth in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes.
He's turned in two excellent trial performances ahead of this week's resumption and is further boosted by the booking of James McDonald.
Bet Now: Randwick Race 9
Race 10 - Drinkwise Mile (1600m)
No. 3 Puntin
Puntin is the one for me in the last on Missile Stakes Day 2025.
Puntin has finished worse than second once in four runs back this time, winning over 1400m at Rosehill most notably, though he was well beaten here a fortnight ago.
There's no doubting his fitness this week and he does like racing on a rain-affected track, and with options in running from the rails draw, I don't think he'll have too many excuses.
