The arrival or non arrival of the predicted showers leading up to the weekend will decide the fate of Missy Longstocking in the Listed $100,000 Evergreen Turf Nudgee Handicap (1200m) at Doomben on Saturday.
The predicted rain will decide if Missy Longstocking takes her place in the Nudgee Handicap at Doomben. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.
Eagle Farm trainer Liam Birchely is not keen to start Missy Longstocking with 59kg on a rain affected track and will make a late decision if she contests the fillies and mare Quality Handicap.
“She is no good thing to start. She got 59kgs and I am not going to run her with that weight on a bog track,” Birchley told AAP.
The former top two year old resumed from a twelve month break to finish third to Straturbo in the $175,000 Magic Millions Sprint (1100m) at the Gold Coast on January 10.
Missy Longstocking was heavily supported at the Gold Coast and was backed in from $3.80 to start the $2.80 favourite and many race watchers thought the Sequalo mare should have won, including Birchley.
“Missy Longstocking got a couple of checks in the straight and she should have finished closer, if not won,” Birchley said.
“She was very unlucky in the Magic Millions Sprint but she has come through the run very well.”
The official stewards’ report stated that Missy Longstocking was “Held up for clear running rounding the home turn up to and including the 300m.”
Missy Longstocking has a perfect three from three second up record and if conditions suit and Birchley decides to send the four year old mare around at Doomben he expects her to be hard to beat.
“She was quite forward for her first run back and she’s got a terrific record second up,” Birchley said.
Missy Longstocking was rated one of the top two year olds of her year and collected six wins during her juvenile season.
She was undefeated from four starts going into the 2013 $2m Jeep Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) at the Gold Coast and was sent out the $4.60 favourite before finishing third behind Real Sureal and Sweet Idea.
Missy Longstocking started off her three year old season in fine style with a win in a 1000m BenchMark 80 Handicap at Eagle Farm before heading to Melbourne to take out the Group 3 $150,000 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield during the 2013 Spring Carnival.
Jockey Damian Browne has ridden Missy Longstocking to six of her eight victories and will be back in the saddle on the weekend replacing Glenn Colless who rode her on Magic Millions Day.
Early markets at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Nudgee Handicap have Missy Longstocking marked as the $3.50 favourite ahead of last start Gold Coast winner Breakfast In Bed at $5, Canberra mare Caprossa at $7 and Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Handicap winner Endless Shadow at $8.50.
