Missrock Has Crack at Redzel in Black Caviar Lightning 2018

February 15, 2018

Missrock Has Crack at Redzel in Black Caviar Lightning 2018

She’s at big odds to defeat the country’s best sprinter Redzel, but trainer Robbie Laing believes his smart mare Missrock deserves her shot in the 2018 Black Caviar Lightning Stakes on Saturday.

Missrock

First-up star Missrock chases an upset win in the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes 2018 at Flemington on Saturday. Photo: Steve Hart.

The Cranbourne-based Laing and connections know that for their Fastnet Rock four-year-old to increase her future value as a broodmare, Missrock needs to win a Group 1 race.

The chances of that being first-up in the Group 1 $750,000 Black Caviar Lightning (1000m) at Flemington are not considered high with the inclusion of The Everest – Darley Classic winner Redzel in the field.

Laing however hopes that fresh over the short distance, Missrock can finish closer than her ninth when four and a quarter lengths beaten by Team Snowden’s star in last November’s Group 1 Darley Classic (1200m) down the Flemington straight.

Missrock has to date won just four of her 21 career starts, but all four of those victories have come first-up with the mare defeated fresh just once and she also has a solid record at the Flemington track (8:1-1-2).

“Her first-up runs are so good and she’s got a great record up the straight so we are having a crack,” Laing told Racing Victoria on Wednesday.

“In her other five wins first-up they’ve been [in easier grade], and now we need to win a Group 1 with her.”

She has also been tested at elite level on six occasions including her fourth in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) when only two lengths beaten and her second to Vega Magic in the Group 1 The Goodwood (1200m) as a roughie shot in Adelaide last May.

“She’s placed at Group 1 level in the Goodwood Handicap as a three-year-old filly … you’d like to think she’d be a bit stronger and a bit better now,” Laing said.

“I think it’s the best we’ve had her going … she’s just gained strength every campaign.”

Current Black Caviar Lightning odds at Ladbrokes.com.au have Redzel as the odds-on favourite at $1.80, while Missrock is paying $19 to score the upset from gate six with Damien Oliver in the saddle.

“We will need Redzel to run a little bit below his best and that can happen, and she’s going to have to run a career best,” Laing admitted.

“She worked brilliantly on the grass yesterday and pulled up and wouldn’t blow a candle out so I think I’ve got her exactly where we want her.”

Laing is tipping the early speed in the race to come from the hot favourite along with last year’s Newmarket Handicap winner Redkirk Warrior, while Missrock will track just off the pace before a late run for the money.

“It’s going to be an easy race to plan, Redzel will lead and Redkirk Warrior will be right there and we’ll get a bit of cover and she’ll be right there to finish off very strongly,” he said.

“If she has a good run in the race she’ll be finishing off over the top of them.”

Looking further ahead this autumn Laing said that Missrock would return to Flemington on ‘Super Saturday’, March 10, for the Group 1 $1.25 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m) before a possible trip to Sydney for the Group 1 $2.5 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick during ‘The Championships’ on April 7.

“Everything has gone to plan this time around,” Laing said.

“After Saturday, she’ll go to the Newmarket and then there’s Sydney and the T.J. Smith Stakes and then Adelaide again so she’s got a few more chances.”

To back Missrock for a place in the Black Caviar Lightning on Saturday and to access the best upcoming Group 1 racing odds online head to Ladbrokes.com.au.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off