3 minute read

Michael Costa-trained Phobetor fires in the Missile Stakes.

Former Aquis Farm shuttler Dream Ahead (Diktat) sired his 32nd stakes winner on Saturday when the Michael Costa-Trained Phobetor (6 g ex Oneforall by Dubai Destination) won the Missile Stakes (Gr 2, 1200m) at Randwick. 

Last seen running second in the Ramornie Handicap (Listed, 1200m) at Grafton on July 7, Phobetor was settled in behind the speed by Tommy Berry. He surged through a narrow gap to race away to a half length victory over Chat (Deep Field). The Joseph Pride-trained favourite, Fasika (So You Think), was another half neck away in third. 

"He was really confident coming into today. He was under no illusion we were up against some pretty smart individuals, but we had the fitness edge on them," Berry said, with Costa unable to attend Saturday's Randwick meeting due to Covid restrictions. 

"Michael has placed this horse really well. He has taken him through his grades, let him get plenty of confidence and his run in the Ramornie (when) he was slow away and three-wide the whole way and still only got beaten by a horse who has been well-performed, it was a good effort." 

Berry admitted to a few anxious moments when he needed a gap to appear between Fasika and Kolding at the top of the straight but said once it came, he knew Phobetor had their measure. 

"At the half-mile I was off the bridle a little bit and I gave him a bit of a squeeze and he got over-travelling, so I knew I was there ready to pounce," Berry said. 

"I was just hoping Fasika kicked enough and Kolding, we know he's best performed once he gets to 1400 metres and a mile, so once again I was hoping he left a bit of an opening for me. 

"My bloke, as soon as he burst through, he was the winner. He's a beautiful big horse, he's a lovely type and he's in at the right time of year." 

Phobetor was bought for $55,000 by his trainer and New Breed Racing at the 2017 Magic Millions National Yearling Sale and has now won seven of his 12 career starts with career prize money just short of $400,000. 

Dream Ahead shuttled to Australia for seven seasons between 2012 and 2018 and is now based at Haras du Grandcamp in France where his 2021 fee was advertised at €12,000. His progeny include Group One winning sprinters Glass Slippers, who won the Flying Five (Gr 1, 5f) and Breeders' Cup Turf Sprint (Gr 1, 5.5f) last year and Dream Of Dreams who was last seen taking out the Diamond Jubilee stakes (Gr 1, 6f) at Royal Ascot.