Ballistic blitz on cards in Stakes
GIVEN the fine winter form of the likes of Accession, Strasbourg and Kubrick, Queensland’s Ballistic Boy comes to Randwick for Saturday’s $1 million Bondi Stakes (1600m) flying under the radar.
Trainer Chris Anderson sees no reason why he shouldn’t target the new million-dollar feature for threeyear-olds, particularly now that the likes of Brandenburg, Castelvecchio, Super Seth, Yes Yes Yes, Alligator Blood and Funstar will miss the race.
“We’ll accept with him and see where he draws. The race looks ideal. The staff and transport are booked,” Anderson said.
“More stables will identify this race moving forward next year.
“I think he’s a really progressive horse and the further he gets over, the going to become.”
Trained at Eagle Farm, the Smart Missile three-year-old put in an eye-catching run in the Group 2 Sires Produce Stakes last preparation behind Strasbourg before running ninth in the Group 1 JJ Atkins behind Prince Fawaz and Kubrick.
He was ridden too close to the speed in the JJ Atkins which brought him undone and his form this preparation has been just as good despite racing in weaker races on paper.
He’s flown home on both occasions this time in over 1200m and last start over 1400m in a race that Anderson thinks will stack up, form-wise.
“He got to Group grade last preparation and got to the JJ Atkins [1600m] when things didn’t pan out for him after being ridden a bit upside better he’s down,” Anderson said. “It’s very good form and the horse that beat us last start, Gem Of Scotland, it’s arguably Queensland’s best three-yearold. His two runs back this time in have been very good and he’s screaming out for a mile and probably further.”
Anderson also thinks more Queensland trainers should do what those south of the border do a lot each year and travel their younger horses interstate for experience which is another reason he’s bringing Ballistic Boy to Sydney on Saturday. “A trip away could do him the world of good. It might just bring him on that little bit more and help him become more seasoned,” he said.
“[Chris] Waller does it every year and his horses go on. Godolphin are now starting to do it. They brought a ton up in the past two years so we probably need to start returning serve a bit more. They pay back to 10th and if you run in the top 10 you’ve got a free trip away and a horse that will improve with the experience.”
Stablemate, and $15 chance in the Bondi Stakes, Profit won’t make the trip south because he’s having a spell.
The fact that Ballistic Boy will race over further than 1600m is another benefit because the Randwick mile is very tough and horses need to have plenty of stamina to win over the course.