Missile Gains Pace Before Slipper Impact

The silence was deafening at Randwick this morning with all eyes affixed on Smart Missile as he flew up the strait just before 7am.

He was the last of the Golden Slipper contenders to jump onto the track and after he crossed the post he was also declared the best.

He worked with stablemate Houston Benefactor over a 1000m gallop covering the trip in a touch over a minute five.

The final 600m was done within 33.8 seconds while the final 200m made a few rival trainers a little nervous, finished in just 11 seconds.

The shock of trainers was obvious in the hut where they were gathered,  the silence only broken by the simultaneous click of stop watches before another period of uncanny silence.

Houston Benefactor has contested a few good races himself but was no where near his partner, crossing the line five lengths back and proving Smart Missile is certainly in Golden Slipper winning form.

“It was outstanding and he can win the race off that,” Randwick clocker Craig Tompson said.

“It was as good a gallop before a feature race as you’d see.

“He looks spot on.”

Anthony Cummings had to have been extremely excited but in true Cummings nature he kept it on the inside, affording barely a smile.

“Bossy [Glen Boss] said, ‘Just keep it breathing’,” Cummings said.

“I was very happy with that.”

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