Heavy conditions a Blessing for 2025 Missile Stakes contender

Trainer John Thompson believes a return to Randwick could be just what With Your Blessing needs to claim a long-awaited Group win in Saturday’s Missile Stakes.

The honest sprinter returns after a fifth-place finish first-up at Rosehill, where he was beaten two lengths by Missile Stakes rival Romeo’s Choice. While the run was decent, Thompson had expected more based on the gelding’s strong home gallops.

“He was going well into it. For some reason, he just doesn’t go as good at Rosehill as what he does at Randwick,” said Thompson.

“He’s had eight starts there and has barely run a place and he’s the most consistent horse. He tries. It’s a bit weird.”

Randwick, where With Your Blessing has been highly effective, presents a welcome change. He’s recorded three wins and five placings from 12 starts at the track and is also proven on heavy going—just what’s forecast for this weekend.

Randwick was rated a heavy 8 on Friday and Thompson believes the wet will play to his gelding’s strengths, citing a dominant performance at Kembla’s The Gong meeting as an example.

“It was a terrific win that day. He brained them,” he recalled. “He is going well. Back to Randwick. He handles the wet. Up to 1200, perfect. He’s got a good draw and he hasn’t missed a beat. He has come on from the run.”

“He will be up on the speed out of trouble too, that will probably help on Saturday.”

Thompson has scratched Opal Fields from the Midway Handicap (1100m) due to the rain-affected track and is still weighing up whether to run Bundeena in the Ranvet Handicap (1000m).

“He is better on soft but he’s a horse that tries so hard,” Thompson said. “He will run well again because he’s going super.”

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