Australia: Missile Stakes pivotal race for Eduardo
There have been times in the last 18 months when Eduardo has raced against some of the best sprinters in Australia.
A 7-year-old gelding, Eduardo was third in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate at 5 1/2 furlongs in February 2019. He was 16th in the Group 1 Newmarket Stakes a month later and seventh in the Group 1 Moir Stakes last September.
The results of Saturday’s Group 2 Missile Stakes at six furlongs at Rosehill Gardens will determine how ambitiously Eduardo is campaigned in coming month as the lucrative races of the Australian spring draw nearer.
A winner of 4 of 13 starts, Eduardo won the July Sprint at 5 1/2 furlongs at Rosehill Gardens on July 25 in his first start for trainer Joseph Pride. Eduardo was previously trained by Sarah Zschoke. Under her direction, his most prestigious win was the Group 2 Caulfield Sprint at five furlongs in October 2018.
The $144,600 Missile Stakes is the first Group 2 race of the new Australian season, which began on Aug. 1. The race drew a field of 13, including the 6-year-old New Zealand-bred mare Melody Belle, who has won 15 of 30 starts.
Melody Belle has won 14 stakes in New Zealand and Australia, but is winless in five starts since the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes at a mile at Flemington Racecourse last November. The Missile Stakes is Melody Belle’s first start since a sixth-place finish in the Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at 1 1/4 miles in April and her first start at six furlongs since a fourth in the Group 2 Foxbridge Stakes in New Zealand last August.
Melody Belle, who is expected to be favored in the Missile Stakes, has won 3 of 10 starts at six furlongs. She has won 11 races at distances ranging from seven furlongs to about 1 1/4 miles, suggesting her ideal trip may be longer than six furlongs.
:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing
Earlier this week, Melody Belle was treated for a skin rash and approved to race by official veterinarians in Australia, according to published reports. Trainer James Richards is based in New Zealand and has left the mare in Australia with a member of his staff because of coronavirus travel restrictions.
Richards said Group 1 races in coming months at longer distances are goals for Melody Belle.
First post time at Rosehill Gardens is 9:50 p.m., Eastern, or 6:50 p.m., Pacific, on Friday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.