Grey Missile's curtain call nears

By Glenn Davis

Old warrior Grey Missile could be running for the last time at Townsville on Friday before a likely career as a clerk of the course.

Veteran trainer Roy Chillemi will saddle up the seven-year-old in the Ray Fuller Open Handicap over 1300 metres at Cluden Park – the scene of his greatest win in the Cleveland Bay Handicap in 2018.

“It’s a race-by-race proposition with him and this race could well be his last run,” Chillemi said.

“He’s been a great old campaigner and he can’t hang around forever.

“If he runs up to his best, he’s a chance in a race like this but I don’t want anything bad to happen to him in his final days.”

Chillemi, who trains at Tolga on the Atherton Tablelands, said discussions had been held about Grey Missile finishing his days as a clerk of the course at Cairns in far north Queensland.

“He’s a borderline chance of retiring after Friday but if he puts in a good run then he might go on for another race or two,” he said.

“Put it this way - this will definitely be his last campaign.

“He’s a seven-year-old now but he hasn’t been over-raced – it’s just that he’s a bit arthritic and needs soft tracks but we’re not getting any.”

Grey Missile will be lining up for his 49th start and has earned more than $392,000 in prizemoney from 10 wins and 16 placings.

He hasn’t won since notching up his 10th career victory at the Sunshine Coast in January last year when he led all the way when prepared at the Gold Coast by Toby and Trent Edmonds.

In 18 subsequent starts, the grey flash has placed on a further six occasions under the Team Edmonds banner and once for Chillemi.

Grey Missile is coming off a last start fifth to the Jared Wehlow-trained Only Wanna Sing in a 1200-metre Open at Townsville on September 16.

Chillemi has put a line through the performance when he was ridden by apprentice Rachel Shred.

“He got too far out of his ground which is not the way he races,” Chillemi said.

Chillemi has gone for experience replacing apprentice Rachel Shred with Brad Pengelly, and rates Danawi and Funky Music as the main dangers.

The Chris Attard-trained Danawi won at Cluden Park before being decisively beaten when second to Only Wanna Sing at Cluden Park last start while Funky Music was ridden by Pengelly when he scored in Class 6 grade at the track in mid-September.