Aston Missile flashes home to win Lakeside Cup

By Josh Spasaro

Aston Missile takes after his two-time Group 1-winning uncle, Aston Rupee.

They were the thoughts of Adelaide-based owner Ray Borda after his dominant three-length victory under the care of Michelle Sultana in the Lakeside Cup Final over 457 metres at Q1 Lakeside on Thursday night.

Borda owns Aston Missile’s dam, Aston Flame, who won on 18 occasions from 32 starts.

She is the litter sister of star sire, Aston Rupee, who has produced Group 1 Ipswich Cup winner Autumn Storm, among many others.

“Aston Missile looks like he’s very strong. That’s one thing his mother wasn’t – she was really speedy, but wasn’t strong,” Borda said.

“Obviously, she was well-bred being a litter sister to Aston Rupee, who was strong.

“That tells you a little bit about genetics.”

By Tommy Shelby, Aston Missile used his 35kg frame to push to the outside from box one, passing Canya Romance at the turn for home, going on to salute in 24.96 seconds.

Nangar Wally and Canya Romance finished second and third, respectively.

“I was actually hoping he’d draw the outside. We drew the inside and I thought ‘OK, if we can’t have the outside I’ll have the inside’,” Borda said.

“He’s a reasonably-sized dog at 35kg. He takes a couple of strides to get going. That was why I was a bit worried about him being on the inside because if you’re on the inside and you don’t begin brilliantly, it can get crowded.

“But he was smart enough to drift off the rail and go around them. He didn’t go too wide, which was good.

“He’s a clever dog.”

Borda was confident when he saw Aston Missile looming up in second place at the turn for home.

“I knew he was strong enough, but I didn’t know much about the dog he was chasing,” he said.

“I was confident on the home turn because I know how strong he is.”

Borda said Aston Flame has a similar appearance to Aston Rupee.

“She’s always had small litters. Four to a litter is the most she’s ever had,” he said.

“She was brilliant – she was a real speedster. 

“She was a big girl as well, but she’s retired now. She’s looking for a home to go to.

“She was probably the female twin to Aston Rupee.”

Indeed, Borda and Aston Missile’s trainer Paul Abela made the right call to send their dog to successful Queensland conditioner Sultana, who is based at South Maclean near Logan City.

Abela mentors his dogs at Bacchus Marsh, near Melbourne in regional Victoria.

“I’m a big believer in sending dogs away. I’ve got a lot of racehorses and it’s the same thing – they seem to benefit by going away and coming back,” Borda said.

“Paul earmarked this race and it was his foresight to send the dog away.”

Now with six wins from 15 starts, more exciting feature races are on the horizon for Aston Missile after his convincing triumph in the $150,010 Lakeside Cup Final.

“He’ll come back with Paul. Paul flew up for the race. He’ll head to the Silver Chief and whatever else is around that’s reasonable prizemoney,” Borda said.

Successful owner Borda admitted he was relieved that Aston Missile provided him with a breakthrough victory at Q1 Lakeside on Thursday night.

“It’s great. It’s been a long time between drinks. I can’t remember the last time I won a big race,” he said.

“I was spoilt with Aston Rupee and Aston Dee Bee, and it’s been a bit of a struggle since.

“But I’ve stuck with the same breed and it’s worked out OK.

“You’ve got to enjoy them because you never know when you go through a dry period, and hopefully it’s a sign of good things to come.”