Everest-bound Ninja? Slot beckons for dominant Missile winner

By Connor Scanlon

We all know that Ka Ying Rising is going for back-to-back Everest wins later this spring, but what about the 11 other runners in the field?

Despite the 2025 Everest winner holding a $1.55 handle on the market for the world’s richest race on turf, there is still plenty of money going around for the placings.

On Saturday, the Michael Freedman-trained Ninja announced himself as one of the major players this spring for the sprinting ranks.

The four-year-old gelding claimed triumph in the Group 2 Missile Stakes, carting into the race beautifully to win by 1.2 lengths, marking his fifth victory from nine career starts.

The son of Farnan also impressed in his two trials prior to his first-up start, winning and coming second both across 900m.

Reflecting on the terrific Missile Stakes victory, RSN form analyst Nick Noonan revealed that the horse has come leaps and bounds mentally, even claiming the sprinter should secure a slot in the $20 million Everest off the back of that run.

“That was a fantastic win. He didn't get out of the barriers all that well, but then Way To The Stars just ripped along by himself out in front, and there was just a huge opening for Ninja to slot in there in the early stages. It was a dominant win,” Nick told RSN’s Correct Weight.

“The interesting part of the post-race interview was Tommy Berry saying how much this horse has improved mentally, and Corey Brown noticed that as well, saying that he paraded a lot better than previously.

“He was probably on an Everest audition (prior to the race), and I think he might be getting the nod off what we saw there.”

Trav Noonan also echoed his brothers Everest claim, stating he would be surprised if Ninja wasn’t rated inside the top 11 sprinters in Australia.

“You think there’s only more upside to come with him, getting fitter throughout the campaign,” Trav said.

“I would say before we see him at the races next, a slot will have been secured for Ninja.

“Because at the end of the day there's 11 slots that need to be filled outside of Ka Ying Rising, and if he's not in the top 11 sprinters in the country of what he did there yesterday, I'd be a bit surprised.”

Ninja currently sits as an $18 outsider for the Group 1 sprint at Randwick, while Ka Ying Rising ($1.55), Autumn Glow ($6), Tempted ($8), Joliestar ($11), Guest House ($15), Jimmysstar ($15) and Sheza Alibi ($15) are all ahead of him.