Missile Rockets Away with Jewel Qualifier

Boom two-year-old Missile Thunder was being compared to the brilliant Tyzone after a sensational win in the QTIS Jewel Qualifier at Cluden Park.

Racing in the Tom Hedley colours, Missile Thunder and race jockey Stephen Wilson left their four rivals standing with an electric turn of foot on the way to a six and a quarter length win.

But a trip to the Gold Coast for $500,000 QTIS Jewel Final next month is not yet certain.

Trainer Roy Chillemi is hoping to keep the star gelding in the north for the time being but will discuss plans with Hedley in coming days.

“We buy our horses to race and have some fun up here. What I’d like to see him do is win a few more races, have a crack at the Great Northern 2yo Classic, the 3yo races and then go down there like we did with Tyzone,” Chillemi said.

“Hopefully I can talk the boss (Hedley) into doing that, but he’s the owner and if he decides he wants him to go he’ll go.

“If we lived in Rockhampton I’d have no hesitation, but from up here it’s harder. 

“Yes he’s a nice horse. Today wasn’t a strong field. He’ll meet a lot stronger horses down there, we know that.

“He was very exciting to watch. He gave me goose bumps the way he went.

“He’s the perfect race horse, much like Palencia.”

Wilson was equally impressed.

“It was huge. We were a bit worried at 1200m first-up. It’s a big ask for a two-year-old but his ability shone today and we’ve seen how good he is,” Wilson said.

“In my opinion I think he’s probably a better two-year-old than Tyzone at that stage of his career. 

“There’s a bit of improvement to come with this fella too so it’s very exciting.”

Missile Thunder was having only his second race start after winning the Pallarenda Stakes by four lengths in October.

The gelding attracted huge offers following his Pallarenda win and only added to his boom and value with his impressive Qualifier win.

Settling last in the field of five, Missile Thunder came the widest at the top of the straight and sprinted so quickly that he was three lengths clear within 50m.

He coasted to victory ahead of dual winner Altar Boy with Mr Whittington third.

While Missile Thunder was the talk of the day, Bullion Wolf scored an emotional win for his connections in the Dave Moore Memorial Hcp (1400m).

Part owned by the late Dave Moore, a well know publican and sporting identity in the north, Bullion Wolf pulled off the most fitting win in grand style for leading Rockhampton apprentice Tahlia Fenlon.

Bullion Wolf overpowered the race favourite Let’s Go Bobby to win by a long neck with Brains a length away third.

Trainer Les Gordy is keen to push on with a short Brisbane campaign with the eight-year-old before returning for the northern carnivals.

Pictured: The flying Missile Thunder and jockey Stephen Wilson in full flight.

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