Australia: Triple Missile sharp for Golden Topaz Handicap

Triple Missile won five of his first 10 starts in the state of Western Australia from September 2020 to February of this year. The 4-year-old was relocated to the state of Victoria a few months ago, a transition that places the gelding in a tougher racing circuit.

On Friday, Triple Missile will have his third start in Victoria in the $107,900 Golden Topaz Handicap at six furlongs at Swan Hill Racecourse, well north of Melbourne.

Trained by Lindsey Smith, Triple Missile starts as the likely second choice in a full field of 14 on the strength of a win in a six-furlong handicap at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne on May 14. In his first start in Victoria, Triple Missile was fourth, beaten a length, in the Wangoom Stakes at Warrnambool Racecourse on May 4.

In those races, and earlier in his career, Triple Missile has closed from well off the pace.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

The Golden Topaz Stakes field is led by Front Page, who had mixed results in two starts at six furlongs in May. A winner of 5 of 12 starts, Front Page won his 2022 debut in the Town Plate Handicap at Wagga Wagga Racecourse on May 5, but was 12th of 16 in the Straight Six Stakes at Flemington on May 21 as the 7-5 favorite.

In a post-race veterinary exam, Front Page was found to have an irregular heartbeat after the Straight Six Stakes. The diagnosis has not prevented the 5-year-old gelding from being entered in the Golden Topaz for trainer Geoff Duryea.

The powerful stable of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace start the 5-year-old mare How Womantic, who was third in a lucrative five-furlong handicap at Flemington on May 14 in her first start since October. How Womantic closed from well off the pace to lose by a length, an indication she has regained the form that led to a Group 3 win in 2020 and two placings in minor stakes in 2021.

How Womantic was 7-1 in early betting on Wednesday, behind Front Page (3-1) and Triple Missile (7-2).

Swan Hill has an eight-race program that begins at 10:15 p.m. Eastern or 7:15 p.m. Pacific on Thursday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.