Mrs Onassis has Missile in her sights

Sunday 4 August 2013, 3:08pm

Oakleigh Plate winner Mrs Onassis has convinced trainer Gerald Ryan she is fully fit for the Missile Stakes and she will head to the race without a scheduled barrier trial.

The mare was due to have a hit-out at Rosehill on Monday ahead of Saturday's Group Three sprint but will work as normal during the week.

And while he's happy with the mare's condition, Ryan admits she needs a firm track to show her best.

"I'm just hoping the weather stays as it is and the Randwick track is good," Ryan said.

"She won't trial. She doesn't need to. I just want to get her back on a firm surface."

Kerrin McEvoy, who was the pilot when Mrs Onassis claimed the Group One Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield in February, once again has the ride.

Although the six-year-old has not won a race further than the Oakleigh Plate distance, Ryan believes a firm track will give her the chance to add a 1200m win to her resume.

As with many mares of her age at this time of year, Mrs Onassis could be headed to the brood mare barn if her owner Gerry Harvey decides it is not worth pushing on.

The Missile line-up will include Rain Affair who showed his readiness with a scorching barrier trial at Randwick on Friday on his preferred slow surface.

With Christain Reith aboard, Rain Affair left Golden Slipper runner-up Sidestep 9-1/4 lengths in his wake.

"He was pretty impressive," trainer Joe Pride said

"I'm happy to say the least."

Reith will be required for Mic Mac so premier jockey Nash Rawiller is the likely rider.

Rain Affair ran two Group One seconds in the autumn behind All Too Hard in the All Aged Stakes and Your Song in the BTC Cup with both winners now retired to begin stud duties in a few weeks.

Rain Affair, who won the Missile two years ago, has claimed eight of his 11 victories on rain affected tracks.

Hay List is also likely to be among the Missile nominations with trainer John McNair to monitor his fitness over the next few days before deciding whether the injury-prone gelding makes his latest comeback on Saturday or waits a little longer.

If he does run in the Missile he will be without regular partner Glyn Schofield who will be serving a careless riding suspension.

– AAP

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