Even though the spotlight is intended for Victoria Derby Day, the sprint race for three-year-olds is shaping up to be a standout event of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes, covering 1200m at Flemington on Saturday, is set to feature a competitive field of colts and fillies keen to bolster their records for potential stud careers.
A jump-out involving seven horses at Flemington on Friday provided a preview of some of the contenders for Saturday’s 1200m dash down the famous Flemington straight.
The Next Episode, Paradoxium, St Gotthard, Natural Fling, and Under Focus all took part in the 800m jump-out, with Paradoxium easily finishing in front of his rivals.
Champion trainer Chris Waller, whose colt St Gotthard finished third, highlighted that the session was focused on gaining experience.
“Experience, that is what it was all about,” Waller commented. “St Gotthard is a relatively lightly raced horse. It was a really good run in the Golden Rose and since then he’s been set for this race.”
“He’s had a quiet trial in Sydney and then the jump-out and it’s all systems go for the big one next week. This is the real pinnacle for a three-year-old colt that hopefully can really stamp themselves as a stallion, and that is what the Coolmore team is all about. He started his two-year-old career late and made an impact straight away. He’s come back really well at three and he’s ready to peak here on Derby Day.”
Waller has a strong record in the Coolmore Stud Stakes, having won it six times, most recently with Switzerland in 2024.
From the very start, Waller has been impressed with St Gotthard’s quality.
“He’s got speed and talent, and James McDonald has been impressed with him right from day one,” Waller said. “That tells me he’s got the ability and it’s just about bringing it all together and making sure he’s ready to peak.”
Ciaron Maher, aiming to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes for the first time, saw The Next Episode finish fifth, in a bunch, behind the leading Paradoxium.
The Next Episode has been specifically targeted for the Group 1 sprint since winning on the Gold Coast in May, and followed that with a first-up victory in the Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on October 3.
Maher, much like Waller, brought The Next Episode to Flemington for added experience prior to next Saturday’s race.
“It’s been his aim all the way along,” Maher stated. “He was great here the other day and he had a look down the straight before that. It’s a month between runs and he had a nice (on) bridle hit out, and he should present pretty close to spot on.”
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