The Coolmore Stud Stakes makes up one of four Group 1 races on this Saturday’s Derby Day program at Flemington.
A field of 17 has accepted for the $1.5 million three-year-old feature and it is fair to say this is one of the most wide-open editions we’ve seen in recent years.
Godolphin holds a particularly strong hand in the race with Paulele, Kallos and Ingratiating all lining up, while Chris Waller is searching for his fifth Coolmore win with Home Affairs.
The Coolmore is always one of the highlights of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, and you can find analysis on every runner in our preview below.
Shaquero
Shaquero is a two-time winner over 1200m but is tough to recommend based on recent efforts.
The Chris Waller-trained colt did show some encouraging signs when two-lengths fifth to Wild Ruler first-up in the Moir Stakes, but it was clear he didn’t handle Caulfield when he finished off only fairly for fifth in the Schillaci Stakes.
A bigger track like Flemington might be his go, but this is a tough race to try and bounce back in.
Artorius
Artorius is looking to atone for his run in the Caulfield Guineas where he missed the start before running home strongly to fill the minors.
His start prior in the Golden Rose was similar as he was forced wide early on before working home late for fourth.
The son of Flying Artie won the Blue Diamond over 1200m during the autumn but whether he’s looking for that that distance at this stage of his prep is the question.
Ingratiating
Ingratiating is an honest type that very rarely runs a bad race.
He atoned for a disappointing run on the soft two back in the Danehill with a brave third to Jonker in last Friday’s Manikato Stakes at The Valley in what was his third placing in a Group 1.
The Godolphin colt finished runner-up on the quick backup in the Blue Diamond earlier in the year and also has excellent form over 1200m.
In the Congo
Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes winner In The Congo looks to be one of the horses to beat in this year’s Coolmore.
The Snitzel colt beat home last week’s Cox Plate runner-up Anamoe and Artorius in the Golden Rose and has also shown he’s capable of handling rain-affected going.
Even though the blinkers go on for the first time, he’s rock-hard fit for four runs back, and I can’t find any reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Home Affairs
Home Affairs put paid to his rivals first-up in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Rosehill, but was no match on-speed in The Everest where he faded late.
The I Am Invincible colt is yet to prove himself at the top level and I can’t get him anywhere near as short as the current quote ahead of his first start in Melbourne.
Paulele
Paulele finished a clear second to Home Affairs in the Heritage Stakes and then went one better in the Roman Consul when he put nearly 1.5L between himself and his rivals.
The Godolphin sprinter brings an unblemished 2-0 record over 1200m into the Coolmore and has also proven himself on wet tracks in the past.
Should be fresh with a bit of a gap between runs and is no doubt one of the major players with fitness on his side.
Kallos
Paulele’s stablemate Kallos is in search of his hat-trick after backing up his maiden win at Hawkesbury with a slick win in the Danehill at Flemington to start the month.
The son of Medaglia d’Oro clocked the third-fasted average speed of the race meeting according to racing.com, and this look the next logical step for him as he continues to rise through the grades.
Fred Kersley remains in the saddle and the pair can’t be underestimated.
Ranch Hand
Ranch Hand has been a frustrating commodity for punters as he continues to mix his form.
The Fastnet Rock colt won a Listed race at Flemington in his return to the races but failed to produce that same turn of foot in the Danehill.
Has failed to run a place in two starts third-up and will likely only find this tougher.
Extreme Warrior
Extreme Warrior stamped himself as a horse to watch as a two-year-old when he finished second in the Blue Diamond Preview half-a-length to General Beau.
He went on to cap off the autumn 2.5L behind the same horse and Anamoe in the Prelude, before returning as a three-year-old earlier this month to win his maiden at Echuca.
That win proved no fluke as he gapped Profiteer by close to four lengths in the Blue Sapphire two weeks ago where let down beautifully over the final 200m.
Everything suggests he’s ready for the step up to the elite level now and the best might be to come.
Extreme Flight
Extreme Flight made it a hat-trick at Caulfield two weeks ago where he overcame a wide run to pip Prince Alexander right on the line in the Gothic Stakes.
This is a big step up in class, but the son of Extreme Choice broke his maiden over 1200m at Moe last month and has seemingly gone to another level with the blinkers on.
Place chance.
Sword of State
Sword of State has struggled to find the same form that saw him win four of his five starts in New Zealand as a two-year-old.
He struggled under 60kg’s fresh at Rosehill in the Heritage Stakes and faded late last time out in the Roman Consul over 1200m at Rosehill.
Should be fitter, but this is tougher again.
Bruckner
Bruckner brings strong form into the Coolmore and might be over the odds at the current price.
He beat Artorius in the Group 3 McNeil Stakes over 1200m at Caulfield in his second run back and was only two lengths off Kallos in the Danehill last time out.
There’s no question the son of Snitzel possesses a big finish and he just might sneak into the numbers from the low draw.
Overpass
Overpass rattled off three impressive wins in Sydney as a two-year-old and has plenty of scope for improvement.
He made up for a disappointing first-up run in the Heritage Stakes with a last-start fourth in the Roman Consul where he made up enormous ground late.
A win looks unlikely at this grade, but he has done it before third-up.
Marine One
Marine One has rattled off back-to-back victories at Swan Hill and The Valley, albeit against much easier opposition.
The newest addition to the Maher and Eustace stable won both starts by a combined four lengths and is worth respecting on those efforts.
Minsk Moment
Minsk Moment is two-from-three so far in his career and is looking to improve on a last-start third in the Blue Sapphire.
Both wins have come over 1200m but this looks tougher again.
Battleton
Battleton won on debut at Wyong last month and went on with it second-up at Warwick Farm to make it a double.
He came close to a hat-trick last week in the Listed Brian Crowley at Randwick where he finished a clear second to Mazu despite clocking some speedy sectionals over the final furlong.
A bold showing wouldn’t surprise.
Gimmie Par
Gimmie Par has had a few weeks in between runs after finishing fourth in the Danehill.
She made it a double two back at Caulfield with a win over Heresy in the Group 3 Quezette Stakes where she was very strong through the line.
Query on a wet track, but she does look a very promising filly out of the Peter Moody camp.