This year’s Missile Stakes is almost with us, taking place on Saturday 11th of August. This Group 3 weight-for-age event is the first group race in the Sydney spring racing carnival, and lots of people are anticipating an exciting start to the season. The Missile Stakes has a long and colourful history in Australia, originally established in 1978 at the Rosehill Racecourse.
The 1100 metre Missile Stakes is hosted by the Australian Turf Club, under standard weight-for-age conditions. There is $125,000 on the table for the winner, with the event open to horses three years and above. For many horses, this race is the real start of the season, usually contested either by winter sprinters or those returning from a dry spell over the colder months.
The first ever winner of the Missile Stakes was Idol back in 1978, followed by Salaam in 1979 and Macho in 1980. The next year, 1981, is notable for being the only year since the event began where no race was held, although it was back in action again the following year. Campaign King managed to take out the event in both 1987 and 1988, with some other horses also doing the double in the years to come.
Joanne won the race in both 1991 and 1992, with Klokka also winning the double in 1993 and 1994. There has also been a number of high profile winners in more recent history, including some that have gone on to make a big name for themselves in Australian racing. Some of the most high profile winners of the Missile Stakes include Commands in 1999, Lonhro in 2002, Pompeii in 2003, Dance Hero in 2005, and Love Conquers All in 2010.
The race of 2011 was taken out by Rain Affair, with Winter King coming in second and Pinwheel taking out third spot. There really was nothing in the 2011 race, with Corey Brown taking Rain Affair clear approaching the final turn. The gap was closed down the straight however, with Winter King actually taking the lead before Rain Affair managed to claw it back for victory.
This year’s race is taking place at Warwick Farm Racecourse, after taking place at Randwick for the 2011/2012 racing season. Gates open at 11am for general admission, with adults costing $15 and concessions getting in for $5. A list of all past winners is included below, to wet your appetite for the coming weekend.
2011 Rain Affair
2010 Love Conquers All
2009 Teasing
2008 Captain Bax
2007 German Chocolate
2006 Imprisoned
2005 Dance Hero
2004 Spark Of Life
2003 Pompeii
2002 Lonhro
2001 Sportsbrat
2000 Padstow
1999 Commands
1998 Mr. Victory
1997 Guineas
1996 Legal Agent
1995 Brawny Spirit
1994 Klokka
1993 Klokka
1992 Joanne
1991 Joanne
1990 Potrero
1989 Select Prince
1988 Campaign King
1987 Campaign King
1986 Shankhill Lass
1985 Row Of Waves
1984 Plus Vite
1983 Young Blood
1982 Nordic Prince
1982 Razor Sharp
1981 not held
1980 Macho
1979 Salaam
1978 Idol