Punters who took short odds about Missy Longstocking at Doomben today and some real concerns until the filly lunged late to scramble a narrow win.
Missy Longstocking ($1.65) only reached the lead in the final few strides as she edged past a defiant Hallside Rose ($41) to score by a short head.
Despite the slim margin rider Damian Browne gave Missy Longstocking a good report card.
“I was happy to sir three wide with cover. I didn’t want to get as far back as she did last time at the Gold Coast,’’ Browne said.
“Halfway down the straight I thought she would win by two or three lengths. The second filly kicked strongly. I think there should be some improvement in her but she probably does need to lift a bit because the opposition will be stronger.’’
Browne described Missy Longstocking as an “awkward” filly to ride because of her habit of racing with a very low head carriage.
“It feels like she is running downhill all the time,’’ he summed up.
Liam Birchley who was at Scone yesterday where he won the first race with Trajet has set Missy Longstocking to back up next Saturday in the Sires Produce Stakes.
He is confident the filly can cope with a step up to 1350 metres and is even looking at a further progression up to the 1600 metres in the J J Atkins at Eagle Farm on June 8.
