Genuine customer: Missy Longstocking ridden by Damian Browne at Eagle Farm. Picture: Darren England Source: Herald Sun
TOMORROW'S Calaway Gal Stakes will show whether Missy Longstocking's devastating Eagle Farm win last month was a flash in the pan or the arrival of a genuine big stage player.
The Liam Birchley-trained filly, who won by seven lengths at Eagle Farm, will start a long odds-on favourite tomorrow despite not being at her top.
"She's definitely not as forward as she was when she won at Eagle Farm, because the main target (Magic Millions) is still a month away," Birchley said. "I would still be disappointed if she doesn't shake the life out of this race."
General Nediym was the only pre-Christmas two-year-old to go faster than Missy Longstocking over the Eagle Farm 1000m in the past 20 years.
Connections can only hope their Sequalo filly's career follows a similar trajectory, as General Nediym went on to be the nation's top-ranked sprinter the next season.
Already Missy Longstocking has run faster than subsequent Golden Slipper winners Calaway Gal and Guineas (who clocked 57.4sec on Boxing Day 1996).
Times can be subjective, but are usually reliable when it comes to assessing the babies.
Birchley has flirted a number of times with Magic Millions success, most notably with Paprika in 2008, so he knows not to get too excited this far out.
He admits to being taken by surprise by his filly's last start.
"Initially I was a bit shocked (after the Eagle Farm win) and thought she may have just bumped into an ordinary field, but when I saw the time I couldn't help but be impressed," Birchley said.
"Two-year-olds generally don't run that sort of time at that time of year."
The Eagle Farm demolition followed an easy debut win at Toowoomba.
Birchley said she was underdone for the debut and had just been hoping for "a bit of a kill".
"She's definitely in the top few I've had and she may improve further," he said.
Birchley has been able to spend bigger amounts at sales in recent years, but he earned his reputation early on as a whiz at being able to sniff out a bargain.
Missy Longstocking is a return to those days, having cost only $7500 as a weanling.
"I thought she was an athletic filly and a terrific walker, plus the sire has a history of getting runners," he said.
Phelan Ready Stakes contestant Eliminator was well tried to win the Magic Millions, but rival trainer Matthew Dunn is confident his colt Londehero is the one to beat. Dunn was disappointed Londehero was beaten on debut when the son of Lonhro was slowly away and forced to race wide.
"Normally they take good improvement out of their first run, and from what he's shown me and Glen Colless on the track since then, I suggest he definitely has taken a step forward," Dunn said.
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