James McDonald gives Coolangatta tick of approval
In preparation for the upcoming Group 1 King’s Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot, star jockey James McDonald has given Australian filly Coolangatta his tick of approval after a significant track work on Wednesday.
McDonald, who rode last year’s King’s Stand Stakes victor, Nature Strip, partnered the promising three-year-old in an 800m gallop up Ascot’s iconic straight. According to him, Coolangatta’s performance surpassed that of her recent Flemington jumpout.
“She was excellent, I was actually really thrilled with her,” said McDonald. “Her last two (400m), she was there to open her lungs up a bit…she enjoyed herself out there, took everything in her stride, and pulled up really well after the gallop, so it was a very pleasing gallop.”
The daughter of Written Tycoon, trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, was hosted by Lambourne trainer Charlie Hills for this exercise. During the gallop, Coolangatta outpaced a lead horse provided by Hills, indicating her readiness for the high-stakes race.
Commenting on the filly’s growth since he partnered with her during her exceptional juvenile campaign, McDonald noted, “I can’t believe the progression she’s made… she’s definitely a more furnished mare now.”
With this promising build-up, McDonald is hopeful that Coolangatta, a dual Group 1 winner and star racehorse, can demonstrate her prowess at the upcoming race next Tuesday.
More Racing News
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup
Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...
Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?
To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...
Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest
Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...
Joe Pride confident Private Eye is on the right track ahead of Doomben 10,000
Private Eye has never raced at Doomben, but Joe Pride is banking on the track giving his charge an advantage over favourite I Wish I Win when they clash in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000. A backmarker with a devastating finish, I Wish I Win is an even-money fancy for Saturday’s Group 1 race, while...