| Distance | 1200m |
| Grade | Group 1 |
| Track Rating | Good 4 |
| Prizemoney | $1,000,000 |
| Class | 3yo Set Weights |
| 2017 winner | Merchant Navy ($19) |
The Coolmore Stud Stakes is a Group 1 1200m shoot-out down the Flemington straight, which typically sets up the winner's career at stud.
This year however, a lone filly may spoil the party for all other runners who are desperate to increase their stallion prospects.
Gun filly Sunlight won brilliantly first-up, before starting favourite amongst Group 1 WFA company in the Manikato Stakes.
She did not fire on that occasion and back to 3yo only grade here, can sprout wings.
There is no doubting the class of this field elsewhere, however I am happy to take the lead of master trainer Tony McEvoy and his abilty to place them.
This girl should teach the boys a lesson!
Flemington is currently rated a Good 4, with the rail in the true position the entire circuit and fine conditions predicted for Saturday.
At recent meetings, straight racing at HQ has seen runners come down the centre of the track, however this can easily revert to the outside rail if the track walkers declare it to be better going early in the day.
Expect noted speedsters Sunlight and Written Tycoon to opt for a rail which could be down the outside of the track.
Zousain is a slight drifter from an opening $3.50 quote to now trade at $4.00, whilst Sunlight has seen early support, into $4.60 from $5. All other runners remain steady in early betting.
Was ultra impressive right throughout his 2yo season, which included winning the Group 1 Blue Diamond in dominant fashion before starting favourite and running 4 of 16 in the Golden Slipper.
That form is exceptional and he has since returned as a 3yo to win both starts impressively in the lead up to this.
Ticks every box except a Flemington straight run, and although it does not mean everything, there is always a lingering doubt that he could fail to handle it.
However, expect him to have the class to overcome and he must be considered a leading chance. Yes.
Brings outstanding Sydney form following a close second to gun colt The Autumn Sun at his last outing in the Group 1 Golden Rose.
Expect him to measure right up here and he is one that will appreciate a warp speed tempo, which could eventuate considering early speed in the race.
He draws in gate 4 where J Mac will have options and preferably have him sucking up just in behind, before running home hard over the top. Top hope.
Godolphin hope who is building an impressive 3yo resume, where two starts back he won the Danehill at Group 2 level before placing 2 of 6 in the Blue Sapphire Stakes at Caulfield.
This colt was lightly raced as a 2yo (one start in the Group 1 Champagne at Randwick). Given that Team Blue have a tendency to produce a good one that they deliberately hold back, he may just be their best 3yo sprinter.
Could easily blow them all away, however prefer to be with others on this occasion.
Won the Run To The Rose in the build-up to the Group 1 Golden Rose, where he ran 5 of 9 behind The Autumn Sun.
This Sydney form looks superior and he is another that can capitalize on a fast run race, provided he can find clean air from gate 3.
If the speed goes on up front, he will be rocketing home from near last.
Big chance if the tempo is genuine.
The stable declared how good he was during the Brisbane Winter carnival and then he came straight to Randwick first-up for the Group 2 Roman Consul where he brained them.
He is best suited over more ground and is likely to find plenty of these far too sharp.
Would need a charmed run and a touch of rain to be a chance against these. No.
Has emerged from nowhere to be a genuine chance in this.
He is lightly raced (3 starts) and comes via a Monday holiday Randwick Kensington meeting two starts back, where he won impressively. He then tackled Randwick Saturday grade and again won well.
If they decide to race down the stand side, he will be in ideal striking position however just too many question marks for this fellow and he would need to be very good to trouble these more experienced campaigners. Prefer others.
Started favourite in the Group 1 Manikato last Friday night at Moonee Valley, when jumping from a wide gate and was never a significant threat against the older horses.
She is back to 3yo grade here and could easily atone with her freakish natural early speed.
If Written Tycoon leaves her alone and does not challenge for the front, expect her to just keep kicking. Must go on top. Yes.
Of The Others
None preferred.
1st Sunlight
2nd Written By
3rd Zousain
4th Lean Mean Machine