3 minute read
Stablemates Coolangatta and Bella Nipotina will chase another Group 1 quinella in the Manikato Stakes.
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace could not believe their luck when their two quality sprinters draw the two inside gates in the Manikato Stakes.
The Group 1 sprint over 1200m at Moonee Valley on Friday night sees a return bout between Coolangatta and Bella Nipotina after they ran one-two in the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at the track on September 23.
On that occasion, Coolangatta burst from barrier one under Jamie Kah and outsped her rivals while her stablemate was forced to scout wide from barrier 11 in the 1000m dash.
Only a head separated the pair in that clash with Bella Nipotina closing fast.
"It was a comfortable watch," Eustace said.
"It's very unusual in those sorts of races, but we don't mind.
"They are both great chances again and we know what The Valley is like, it will come down to luck."
Coolangatta again has barrier one with Bella Nipotina drawn alongside in gate two.
"Barrier draws don't get as easy or as enjoyable as that with Coolangatta in one and Bella Nipotina in two," Eustace said.
Maher and Eustace had been considering waiting an extra week to run Coolangatta in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington instead of tackling the older, more seasoned sprinters for a second time.
But that all changed with Tuesday's draw.
"We'll line-up on Friday night looking at the draw," Eustace said.
"She's in great form. She had a jump-out, at Cranbourne just a tick over piece of work last week and was very good doing that."
While Coolangatta is a last start Group 1 winner, Bella Nipotina is still chasing her elusive first win at the highest level.
Friday's night's contest will be her ninth run in a Group 1 race, having finished second twice, including in this race last year behind Jonker, and third once.
"Bella Nipotina is a model of consistency and deserves her crack at the Group 1," Eustace said.
"I think it will be quite difficult to split the two."
