Western Districts trainer Toby Weekes believes dual Group 1 finalist Soviet Missile will break a few more middle distance records before he takes the step up to the staying trip after an unbelievable performance at Dubbo last Thursday.
Making his middle distance debut, Soviet Missile jumped in front over the 605m and powered away for a 17 3/4 length win in a time of 34.70 - smashing the previous record of 35.08 held jointly by, ironically, kennelmate and group-class stayer Freddy's Smile (April 18, 2013) and Humdrum (April 24, 2011)
Weekes said he is hoping Soviet Missile takes the step up to the staying trip but is in no hurry to find out.
"I've been going to step him up in distance for a while now and it finally happened," he said.
"He was a top sprinter but the problem is he is not that quick early and you need to have box speed in group races."
However, there is no doubting his strength and it was never more evident than in his record-breaking Dubbo win.
"I think that record will stand for a long time," Weekes said.
"It will take a very fast dog to better it that's for sure."
Weeks said he believes Soviet Missile will only get better with the Dubbo run under his belt.
"He should really go on with it now," he said.
"I don't know if he will run 700m but I tell you what he will give a few middle distance record a shake around NSW.
"I'll probably give him 10 or so 600m starts before stepping him up.
"The short-term goal is the Toledo Trailers Distance Championship (600m) at Canberra. I ran second with Freddy's Smile last year so it would be nice to win it."
Weekes said the Macro Meats Golden Easter Egg series at Wentworth Park in April is not on the agenda for Soviet Missile.
"His first section is just not quick enough for a series like that," he said.
"He's a fast dog overall but his first section just lets him down, plus you have to rely too much on the box draws. If he draws the inside he's competitive because he is a good railer but if he draws wide then he's got no chance."
Weekes said that while Freddy's Smile was a favourite of his, he believes Soviet Missile is a faster dog over the middle distance trip.
"Freddy was a terrific stayer; he finished a very close fourth in the Group 1 Bold Trease in Victoria last year and was only a couple of lengths off winning a couple of group races, but Soviet Missile is a good six or seven lengths faster over the 600m," he said.
"I think he'll give the Richmond 618m track record a shake. He has run the hands off the clock in trials there.
"If he can run 700m then I think he might be something special because he is very tough, but I'm not going to rush him."
