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Exciting sprinter Ninja couldn’t have done a lot more to put his name in the TAB Everest conversation with his sizzling win in the Group 2 Missile Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

He’s stopped the clock at 1:08.28, a time that would be in the top five Everests, first-up from tackling a mile back in March and he had to do a bit of work to achieve it.

After being stranded three wide early, Tommy Berry elected to let Ninja stride and as Punter's Intelligence data showed he ran 10.35 from the 1000m-800m and 10.52 from the 800m-600m before he was able to get some sort of breather up on speed.

As he took the lead shortly passing the 300m, he’s run his 400m-200m in 10.85 which was third fastest of the race and his last 200m of 11.66 which was the second quickest.

So his performance is hard to punch holes in. From an Everest perspective you’d say he has thrown his name up and where he goes next is likely an indication of intention, especially as there’s a slot holder in his ownership.

Worth noting too that the Missile Stakes has produced TAB Everest runners like Alizee, Eduardo and I Am Me since 2019 so it’s not out of the question that Ninja could find himself in the final 12 come October 17.

There was plenty of talk post race about Angel Capital and the facts are he’s run the race’s fastest last 600m of 32.94 and last 200m of 11.50. The trouble for him was he was giving Ninja far too much start and despite the sectionals, which he's always been capable of, he was still beaten almost two lengths.

That’s not to say he won’t be better with the run under his belt and going to 1400m second-up.

The runner-up Napoleonic had his chance in the wash up, his last 600m of 33.34 was slightly quicker than Ninja (33.37) but having found Ninja’s back he didn’t do anywhere near the early work the winner did.

Avista made the transition to city company in good style when claiming a last stride win in the Precise Air Handicap (1400m) and she ran right up to co-trainer Paul Messara’s belief that she’ll be even better suited up in distance.

To make it four wins on end she’s had to run 33.47 for her last 600m and her last 200m of 11.33 was 0.01 outside the meeting’s fastest for that section.

Don’t be surprised if seventh placed Magenta Skies is a big improver off what was her first run since October, she was burnt off early in the race but did make significant late ground.

She ran 33.65 for her last 600m while her last 200m of 11.36 saw her humming through the line.

You have to wonder what race David Pfieffer has in mind for Call Me Gorgeous after his slashing return in the Ranvet Handicap over a 1000m that was simply too sharp for him.

His two wins last prep, his first since returning from Hong Kong, came at 1200m and he was competitive with the likes of Midnight Dynamite and Wanaruah after that, so perhaps a Sydney Stakes on Everest Day could be a goal.

The gelding posted the meeting’s fastest last 600m of 32.46 as he stormed home, he was still second last coming to the 200m where he’s run a meeting best 11.32 for that section and would have claimed third in half a stride more. No doubt he’ll be well found second-up.

Give a tick also to runner-up Amazing Eagle who has clocked 32.92 for his last 600m at his first run for a couple of months.

How fast did Puntin go as he set up a big midrace lead in the MM Electrical Handicap (1600m)? As it turns out he rolled along at a good gallop but didn’t go warp speed.

His first 1000m was run in 58.67 and it was clear nobody was prepared to chase him in the early stages so he was able to eventually back off to a degree. His last 200m of 13.15 does stand out for being significantly slower than the chasers, unsurprisingly.

The fastest last 600m of the race went to Kenmare Bay, who turned last and hugged the rails to run into fifth, while Leovanni held her form and was strong at the finish with a race best last 200m of 11.86.

And the first-up run by Alabama State in the closer, the Chandon Handicap (1200m), had some hidden merit as he's a horse that needs to be saved up for a run whereas he made his move early running the fastest splits between the 800m and 200m before his last 200m of 11.82 was only one length slower than Columbia Blue's race best (11.65).

Fastest last 600m: Call Me Gorgeous 32.46.

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