Michael Costa's Phobetor Has Missile Aim

Sending horses from his Gold Coast base to Sydney to tackle the significant prizemoney on offer is starting to become a regular occurrence for up and coming trainer Michael Costa, and this Saturday he will send the inform Phobetor (Dream Ahead-Oneforall, by Dubai Destination) to compete in the $200,000 Gr2 Missile Stakes against a classy field which is headed by Chris Waller's multiple Gr1 winner Kolding (Ocean Park-Magic Star, by Danzero). A winner of six of his 11 starts to date, the 6YO Phobetor was a narrow last start second in the Listed Ramornie Handicap at Grafton and come Saturday will have the services of Tommy Berry. With just seven left in the field after the scratching of Aiden St Vincent's Hellenism (Helmet), the small field should suit Costa's runner who often gets back in the field before working home extremely well. The first stakes race of the new season in Sydney sees the Joe Pride trained Fasika (So You Think-Jarada, by Redoute's Choice) set to start the race favourite, and with her three wins from five first up runs, the talented mare is sure to prove very hard to beat, especially when jumping away from the inside gate with Brenton Avdulla in the saddle.