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'BrienBarrier: 9, Weight: 55.5kg
Gross Time: 1:08.35, 600m Sectional: 33.14Margin: 0.8L, Track: Dead, Starters: 12
2nd: Jadescent (53.0kg), 3rd: Undoubtedly (55.5kg)
Photo by Racing and Sports
• 2006 – GOLD EDITION 3f (Lion Hunter x Glimmers) ($5 fav)
Jockey: Jim Byrne, Trainer: Ron MaundBarrier: 5, Weight: 53.0kg
Gross Time: 1:09.55, 600m Sectional: 33.65Margin: 4L, Track: Dead, Starters: 11
2nd: Splashing Out (53.0kg), 3rd: Churchill Downs (55.5kg)
Photo by Bronwen Healy
• 2007 – WEEKEND HUSSLER 3g (Hussonet x Weekend Beauty) ($1.67 fav)
Jockey: Brad Rawiller, Trainer: Ross McDonaldBarrier: 7, Weight: 55.5kg
Gross Time: 1:08.95, 600m Sectional: 33.34Margin: 2.5L, Track: Good, Starters: 8
2nd: Bel Mer (53.0kg), 3rd: Scenic Blast (55.5kg)
Photo by Bronwen Healy
• 2008 – NORTHERN METEOR 3c (Encosta de Lago x Explosive) ($1.90 fav)
Jockey: Nash Rawiller, Trainer: Gai WaterhouseBarrier: 6, Weight: 55.5kg
Gross Time: 1:10.51, 600m Sectional: 33.48Margin: 0.5L, Track: Good, Starters: 7
2nd: Fist of Fury (55.5kg), 3rd: All American (55.5kg)
Photo by Bronwen Healy
• 2009 – HEADWAY 3f (Charge Forward x Chatelaine) ($13)
Jockey: Luke Nolen, Trainer: Peter MoodyBarrier: 11, Weight: 53.5kg
Gross Time: 1:08.59, 600m Sectional: 33.53Margin: 0.1L, Track: Dead, Starters: 14
2nd: King Pulse (55.5kg), 3rd: Shellscrape (55.5kg)
Photo by Racing and Sports
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 – $7.80o 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.
Photo by Racing and Sports
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) SOULBest Roughie: (9) SISTINE ANGEL