Triple Missile has been a highly efficient galloper throughout his career and still going; starting with Todd Harvey, through to Lindsey Smith, a period with maestros Grant and Alana Williams and currently under the gaze of Donna Riordan.
With interstate wins and Group placings in Melbourne and a Listed delight in his own back yard in Bunbury three months back, Triple Missile has been most adept and showed a liking when competing in sprint distances.
Covering 32 race starts since a winning debut in 2020, Triple Missile has won on eight occasions with six of those victories at 1200m and 1400m, the latest being the Bunbury Stakes (1400m) when he finished powerfully.
At Pinjarra on Saturday, Triple Missile heads into unchartered waters, but Riordan is optimistic the lightly raced seven-year-old can add another string to his bow.
When Triple Missile leaves the starting gates in the Group 3 Swan Draught Strickland Stakes (2000m), he goes beyond the mile for the first time in his racing career.
Riordan is keen to see Triple Missile extend out in trip and expects a bold showing, believing a rise in distance should suit the Smart Missile gelding.
“I’ll think he’ll get it,” Riordan said on Tabradio.
“I think he’ll get it well.
“Everything indicates and points that way.
“He’s never done it before, I know, but just the way he races and how economical he is.
“I think he should get it.”
Although a distance query hovers over Triple Missile, Riordan says the Strickland Stakes has been a target race and part of her planning since the beginning of his winter preparation.
He ran unplaced in the Belmont Sprint (1400m) when first up but caught the eye in the Hyperion Stakes (1600m), third to Western Empire, beaten 1 ½ lengths after being last to the turn.
“We were always going to go this way,” Riordan said.
“I was hoping if he went well in the Hyperion he would go to the Strickland.
“I like to see him stretch out and see what he can do.”
Triple Missile has gate two in the Strickland Stakes and Joe Azzopardi is his riding partner.
Julio Santarelli