KEY POINTS:
Trainer Mike Moroney's hopes of winning his first Queensland Derby have hit an early snag with New Zealand stayer Mission Critical walking a tightrope to run in the group two Hollindale Stakes at the Gold Coast on Saturday.
Moroney thought Mission Critical would be guaranteed a start in the weight-for-age feature over 1800m after the colt's success in the group one Whakanui International at Te Rapa on February 9.
Mission Critical was sent to Sydney for his Australian debut but finished only 10th to Dealer Principal in the group one Rosehill Guineas on April 12.
But Moroney was stunned to learn he was last in order of entry among the 22 horses nominated for the Hollindale Stakes.
Queensland Racing Ltd handicapper Lester Grimmett said the order of entry was decided solely on prizemoney earned, with New Zealand horses' earnings converted to Australian currency.
Mission Critical's latest earnings from his group one victory took his prizemoney to A$158,061, ($191,125) less than restricted-class stayer Doug's Mate, who is 21st in order with A$160,200 in prizemoney.
"I thought he would have been one of the first horses in the field after winning a group one in New Zealand," Moroney said last night. "It's very disappointing."
Despite Mission Critical being in danger of missing the Stakes, Moroney still sent the colt north after deciding not to run him against stablemate Sarrera in the group one Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Randwick on Saturday.
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Life will be a beach for Sydney Cup favourite No Wine No Song this week as trainer Kevin Moses strives to keep the in-form stayer on top of his game for Saturday's staying test.
The tough gelding has been in career-best form this autumn and cemented his Sydney Cup credentials with an authoritative victory in Saturday's Chairman's Handicap at Randwick.
Moses reported No Wine No Song had come through the 2600m assignment in good shape and would need little more than some mental stimulation before the Sydney Cup (3200m).
"He goes to the beach on Wednesday and Thursday," Moses said. "I can't get him any fitter on the track."
The gelding was at the top of TAB Sportsbet's Sydney Cup markets last night at $4.60 ahead of New Zealander Pentathon at $6.50.
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Sires' Produce Stakes runner-up Samantha Miss will be without blinkers when she faces a rematch with outstanding colt Sebring in the Champagne Stakes on Saturday.
"I just thought she raced too keenly last start and with a small field likely on Saturday I'll take them [blinkers] off," said trainer Kris Lees.
Samantha Miss is one of just nine nominations for the Champagne Stakes.
Sebring is unbeaten in five starts and seeks the juvenile triple crown on Saturday.
- NZPA, AAP
