3 minute read

Some fantastic winners and races have occurred since the VRC swapped the Danehill Stks over and ran the Ascot Vale on Derby day.

Now known as the Coolmore Stud Stks, it is the only G1 sprint for 3yos in the country. And that status has seen three elite sprinters salute. Check them out.

• 2005 – FEROCITY 3c (Lion Hunter x Chiara) ($21)

Jockey: Steve Arnold, Trainer: Danny O'Brien

Barrier: 9, Weight: 55.5kg

Gross Time: 1:08.35, 600m Sectional: 33.14

Margin: 0.8L, Track: Dead, Starters: 12

2nd: Jadescent (53.0kg), 3rd: Undoubtedly (55.5kg)

This was final Ascot Vale run in September. The full brother to Stakes winners Leone Chiara and Chinchilla Rose had ability but had really only showed it in winning the Magic Millions race at Adelaide. But being an O'Brien runner you'd know he enjoy the straight six. He ran 6L last in the kick off race and hence started 20-1 at Flemington. With an important gear change, he raced on the pace with Steve Arnold controlling tempo. In a field which included a couple of the G1 2yo winners, he was good enough to hold off the fillies who ran 2nd, 4th and 5th. Two more runs later he was retired to stud duties.

• 2006 – GOLD EDITION 3f (Lion Hunter x Glimmers) ($5 fav)

Jockey: Jim Byrne, Trainer: Ron Maund

Barrier: 5, Weight: 53.0kg

Gross Time: 1:09.55, 600m Sectional: 33.65

Margin: 4L, Track: Dead, Starters: 11

2nd: Splashing Out (53.0kg), 3rd: Churchill Downs (55.5kg)

This mighty tough filly was just getting warmed up. In the first Ascot Vale run at G1 during the Cup Carnival, she was completely dominant. She'd had 12 starts as a 2yo and was at run number five here. They included San Domenico and Silver Shadow wins and stretching to the 1400 was too much in the Golden Rose. A month between runs had her bright and ready for Flemington. Punters had clearly forgotten her because even though she was fav she was still 4-1. With others prepared to lead, new jockey Jim Byrne who got the ride after a remarkable blow up from the previous rider, simply camped on them. She was in front by the furlong and drew away for demolition. Splashing Out was held up and ran well. So confident were they, she'd run again against the fillies on Thursday and bolt in by 7. Why she didn't run in the WFA race is beyond me. After the Ascot Vale she's run another 14 times as a 3yo taking on all comers.

• 2007 – WEEKEND HUSSLER 3g (Hussonet x Weekend Beauty) ($1.67 fav)

Jockey: Brad Rawiller, Trainer: Ross McDonald

Barrier: 7, Weight: 55.5kg

Gross Time: 1:08.95, 600m Sectional: 33.34

Margin: 2.5L, Track: Good, Starters: 8

2nd: Bel Mer (53.0kg), 3rd: Scenic Blast (55.5kg)

After the Guineas we knew he was a good horse. But running 3 weeks later back from the mile to the six up the straight was what made this Coolmore Stud Stks win as good as it was. OK the field at the time didn't appear great hence the market but 18 months later you will now know 2nd and 3rd would be subsequent G1 winners. Brad Rawiller let him settle midfield in the small field which came down the outside rail. But during the run it wasn't all beer and skittles. He hit a flat spot and took a little while to recover which was to be expected coming back in trip for an inexperienced horse. But the last 100m saw the good horse draw away for an exciting win, one which he'd replicate four months later in a Newmarket. The decision to back him up at the mile in the Emirates may not have been a great one in hindsight.

• 2008 – NORTHERN METEOR 3c (Encosta de Lago x Explosive) ($1.90 fav)

Jockey: Nash Rawiller, Trainer: Gai Waterhouse

Barrier: 6, Weight: 55.5kg

Gross Time: 1:10.51, 600m Sectional: 33.48

Margin: 0.5L, Track: Good, Starters: 7

2nd: Fist of Fury (55.5kg), 3rd: All American (55.5kg)

To say the latest edition of the Coolmore was madness early was to understate it. Before the start Wilander was withdrawn after he broke through the barriers while Tindal hit his head when being backed out of the gates. All that said would be denigrate Northern Meteor. He had begun his career with John Hawkes but moved to Gai with the Gooree horses. For Gai he'd run track records and was a hot fav before the scratchings. They came to the outside fence and NM got that position himself. During the run Impressive Eagle over raced and crabbed all over the place, knocking others over. As Fist of Fury tried hard, following him through, Meteor lifted to win making him a valuable colt. Despite a quality run behind Takeover in the TJ Smith, he couldn't win again before heading to stud.

• 2009 – HEADWAY 3f (Charge Forward x Chatelaine) ($13)

Jockey: Luke Nolen, Trainer: Peter Moody

Barrier: 11, Weight: 53.5kg

Gross Time: 1:08.59, 600m Sectional: 33.53

Margin: 0.1L, Track: Dead, Starters: 14

2nd: King Pulse (55.5kg), 3rd: Shellscrape (55.5kg)

Headway was such a little trier as a filly. In her 2yo days she won a Slipper lead up and then went close to winning the big prize only for Phelan Ready to swamp them – literally. As a 3yo she was running honestly without success. Moody again did the smart thing switching her back to sprints instead of the normal progression to the Thousand Guineas. However this race was very tough and the form subsequent would be tremendous. Despite the big field, they all came rails side. In very quick time they covered the leaders like Paprika and Demerit who were expected to run well. While Tickets and Shellscrape were very unlucky, Headway and King Pulse led a possie over the line and just got her nose right on the line. There was 2.5L between the first 9 and many matched up again a few months later in the Newmarket.

RACE PREVIEW

o Encosta De Lago won this race in '96 and has since produced Alinghi and Northern Meteor.

o Can be an upset race.

o Fillies didn't have a great record in the race until recently when they've won 5 of last 10.

o Not been a great race for NSW horses. Before Northern Meteor it was Tierce in 1991.

o Last 10 Years Winningest Barrier Range <5-8> - 6 times

o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner – $7.80

o Breakdown of winners – 2 geldings, 5 fillies & 3 colts

o Last 10 Years Caulfield Guineas / Coolmore Stud Stks double – Weekend Hussler ('07)

o Last 10 Years San Domenico Stks / Coolmore Stud Stks double – Gold Edition ('06)

o Last 10 Years Quezette Stks / Coolmore Stud Stks double – Alinghi ('04), Innovation Girl ('02), So Gorgeous ('00)

o Last 10 Years Blue Diamond Stks / Coolmore Stud Stks double – Alinghi ('04)

o Last 10 Years Brian Crowley Stks / Coolmore Stud Stks double – Northern Meteor ('08)

o Last 10 Years Vain Stks / Coolmore Stud Stks double – North Boy ('01)

SUMMARY & SELECTIONS

Can't say there looks to be any Gold Editions, Weekend Husslers or Northern Meteors in this line up. If anything 2010 is barely a G3 race in quality.

However someone will have the G1 tag after the race although it may actually stay with the only two horses to already have that title.

Straight races can be tough to find a leader as on many occasions they jump, settle then stack up for 400m. That said Solar Charged only knows one way and that is flat chat. It will depend on whether others think she is vulnerable and will come back so just let her go.

Looking at trackwork during the week and just hoping he has luck off an inside draw, it is hard to go past Star Witness.

He went OK in the Schillaci to Black Caviar, is a Blue Diamond winner already and only run here was up the straight to come away in the Talindert Stks.

Soul is such a combative, tough little sprinter that he can't be ruled out. He too is unbeaten at Flemington and has raced many of the top 3yos before being so creditable in the Open G2 Sprint on Caulfield Cup day.

Seems track conditions might suit him best.

If there was a blow out it may come from Sistine Angel back from the Guineas. Yet again she has run well at headquarters and fillies have won 2 of the 4 editions of this race since it went to Derby Day.

Her overall form is pretty strong too.

Selection: (1) STAR WITNESS

Hardest to Beat: (4) SOUL

Best Roughie: (9) SISTINE ANGEL