Ninja's Missile Stakes win propels him into Everest calculations

Ninja proved too strong for a small but select group of competitors in Sydney's opening stakes race of the season, the Group 2 $300,000 Missile Stakes over 1200 metres.

The Michael Freedman-trained sprinter set a race record of 1 minute 08.28 seconds, a time that would have been competitive in most Everest contests.

Adding to the narrative, Ninja is co-owned by John Camilleri, who possesses an Everest slot through his Fairway Thoroughbreds ownership.

"Any trainer with a half-decent sprinter dreams of going to The Everest at this time of year and why not!" Freedman stated. "He seems to have come back in great order and his form has been so consistent. If he continues to take the next step then we have got to dream big."

Ridden by Tommy Berry, Ninja ($5) had to work early to take up a position behind the leader, Way To The Stars. He then surged clear in the home straight to win by a margin exceeding one length from Napoleonic ($9), with the favourite Angel Capital ($2.20) finishing off strongly for third.

Berry, who now shares the Missile Stakes riding record with three victories, commented on Ninja's abundant ability and ongoing development.

"I thought he was very impressive today," Berry commented. "I was trying to get cover early but it didn't quite work out so I sat on him, waited until the speed came out of it and I was able to get across. He relaxed really well, he came back under me, and he was travelling coming up the rise. He's very talented and he's in for a good preparation."

Following the win, TAB Fixed Odds significantly shortened Ninja's quote for The TAB Everest, moving him from $26 to $15 for the $20 million Group 1 event at Royal Randwick on October 17. The defending champion and Hong Kong star Ka Ying Rising remains the firm $1.60 favourite.

The Missile Stakes has previously been a stepping stone for horses targeting The Everest, with Alizee being a notable example in 2019.

Alizee, a multiple Group 1 victor, won the Missile Stakes as the $1.30 favourite before finishing seventh in The Everest later that spring behind Yes Yes Yes.

Eduardo claimed his first stakes win in almost two years in the 2020 Missile Stakes, subsequently contesting three Everests without success. His best performance in the feature was a third placing behind Nature Strip in 2021.

I Am Me, raced by Dean Watt's Dynamic Syndications, triumphed in the Missile Stakes in 2023 but did not secure an Everest start that year. Instead, she captured the Sydney Stakes on Everest day, defeating Airman and Bella Nipotina.

However, I Am Me earned an Everest invitation the following year after winning the Concorde Stakes and The Shorts, ultimately finishing unplaced in the richest turf race in the world behind Bella Nipotina.

Ninja showed signs of needing the run after the Missile Stakes, suggesting he has considerable improvement in store with more than two months until The Everest.

Freedman indicated he would assess Ninja's recovery from his first-up win before deciding on a potential start in the Group 1 $1 million Winx Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick in two weeks, where he would likely face champion mare Autumn Glow.

"He is having a decent blow after the race but he had to do it a bit harder than what we were anticipating,'' Freedman explained. "But to his credit he is a very exciting horse. I told John (Camilleri) early in the week that this horse is going really well. He wasn't screwed right down for today but he looks to have a good spring ahead. In the back of my mind, depending on how he goes in this race and more importantly how he pulls up, I've been thinking of going to the Winx Stakes. I think we can pick our way a little bit now, there's also a couple of nice races in Melbourne, too."

The betting markets for The Everest are heating up, and Ninja's impressive win has seen him shorten considerably in racing odds.