Trainer David Pfieffer is hoping to capitalise on the absence of the top-class sprinters by aiming Group 3 winner Rocketing By at the first stakes race of the new season.
Keen to strike an early blow with the rising six-year-old, Pfieffer has readied Rocketing By for a first-up assault at next weekend’s $300,000 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill, getting him up and going before the likes of Giga Kick, Nature Strip, Think About It and I Wish I Win return in September.
“He’s in great order so we’re going try to get the Missile in early August with him,” Pfieffer said.
“We’ll try to attack early before all the big boys get back.
“He went to the paddock quite early last prep, that is probably going to help him, so we’re going to try to strike early.”
Rocketing By was an upset winner of the Sydney Stakes last spring before finishing a solid fifth to Private Eye in the Winners’ Stakes.
He had a mixed autumn, turning in competitive performances in the Rubiton Stakes and Group 1 Galaxy, then was spelled after finishing down the track on a heavy track in the T J Smith Stakes.
He has two wins and a placing from seven first-up runs and has been readied for his return with two solid trials, winning his latest.
Outside the Missile, Pfieffer says Rocketing By’s main goal is likely to be a defence of his Sydney Stakes title.
“We will probably look toward getting to the Sydney Stakes again and just work out a plan between now and then,” he said.
Jason Collett has been booked to partner Rocketing By on Saturday.