Group 1 aspirations have long been associated with Coeur Volante, a mare the late Mike Moroney rated highly throughout her career.
She was favourite for the Thousand Guineas as a three-year-old but couldn’t break through, finishing fourth behind Joliestar, Kimochi, and Skybird—all now elite winners.
Her last success came in the Mannerism Stakes in February, Moroney’s final winner before his untimely passing just days later.
Transferred to the Lindsay Park operation of Ben, Will & Jd Hayes, Coeur Volante returned with a midfield finish in the Helen Coughlan Stakes and is now aiming for Group 1 glory in the Tattersall’s Tiara.
“We are very happy with how she’s progressed out of her first-up run,” said Will Hayes.
“We were seven weeks between runs, not by design, just with the floods and the weather up there, we couldn’t get a run into her.
“But she has tightened up nicely and we expect her to run a forward race.”
With Jordan Childs aboard again, she’ll need luck after drawing the outside gate, though some relief may come with scratchings.
The Hayes team are looking to back up their Stradbroke Handicap success with War Machine in what would be a fitting tribute to Moroney.
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