Retirement closer for old warrior Grey Missile

By Glenn Davis

It’s been a long time between drinks for old warrior Grey Missile but trainer Roy Chillemi is hoping the gelding’s run of outs can end in the Open Handicap at Townsville’s Cluden Park on Thursday.

If not, Chillemi will consider bringing down the curtain on the seven-year-old’s career after he heads to the Cairns Amateur Sprint over 1400 metres on September 11.

“You always hope they can win but I’m not as confident with him these days,” Chillemi said.

“He’s getting a bit like me and has a bit of arthritis so I have to look after him as much as I can.

“I’ve got him going as good as I can and he’ll go to the Cairns Amateur Sprint next then we’ll make a decision on his future.

“If he retires, I’d like to see him have a future in dressage.”

Grey Missile hasn’t won since January 25 last year when the grey sprinter led all the way to win his only start for Gold Coast trainers, Toby and Trent Edmonds.

In 15 subsequent starts, the seven-year-old has fallen short of winning but has placed on seven occasions for Team Edmonds and Chillemi.

Grey Missile won the Cleveland Bay Handicap in 2018 at the peak of his career but since then has struggled to regain his best form.

In a rare jockey change, Chillemi - who trains at Tolga on the Atherton Tablelands - has called up his apprentice Rachel Shred to replace regular jockey Steve Wilson.

“Steve Wilson is my track work rider and he normally rides Grey Missile but the handicapper has given him 61.5kgs,” Chillemi said.

“Rachel is a good young rider who has only been with me for about a month and hopefully she can get her first winner for the stable on Grey Missile.”

Only three apprentices have ridden Grey Missile throughout his 45-start career, which has yielded 10 wins and 16 placings and almost $400,000 in prizemoney.

Adam Spinks is the only apprentice to win on Grey Missile when he won on him in June, 2018.

Quade Krogh was the first apprentice to link up with Grey Missile when the pair finished second in a two-year-old handicap in Townsville in June, 2017 before Lachlan Dodds also finished second in a three-year-old race in Townsville three years ago.