CoolangattaĀ has become the third three-year-old filly in the 25 past years to take out theĀ pureĀ speed test of the autumn, theĀ Black CaviarĀ Lightning at Flemington.
Just like Isca (1999) and Regimental Gal (2004), Coolangatta was first-up from a successful spring campaign that saw her collect the Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
With Jamie Kah aboard, Coolangatta ($9) scoredĀ by a long head from I Wish I Win ($8.50) with BellaĀ NipotinaĀ ($14) a short-half-head away third.
Jamie KahĀ doubtedĀ afterĀ the spring whether Coolangatta could makeĀ furtherĀ improvement intoĀ the autumn, but the filly hasĀ gone to another level.
“I thought she’d reached her peak last prep, and I thought it was still a very good peak,” Kah said.
“I didn’t see her improving that much more, but she’s just come back better and bigger and stronger.
“I thought she would run second today honestly.
“I didn’t think she would be able to beat Nature Strip, but the race did shape out for her, there was pressure early, but she is half the size of him (Nature Strip)Ā and she just does things she shouldn’t do, she is just an amazing horse.”
Kah said the biggest thing in Coolangatta’s favour this campaign was she was able to conserve her energy forĀ aĀ lateĀ surge.
She said Coolangatta hadĀ previous goneĀ fastĀ beforeĀ just holding on.
“Today, she waitedĀ off ofĀ them and had a turn of foot,” Kah said.
“There were some very good horses in that race and I’m just proud of her, she is just a ripper.”
Coolangatta was one of three sprinters Ciaron Maher and David EustaceĀ saddled up in Saturday’sĀ raceĀ and Eustace said the stable had seen a bigger and stronger filly this time around.
He said ultimately the stable would like to travel with Coolangatta to Royal AscotĀ later inĀ theĀ year,” Eustace said.
“She’s heavier and we thought she’d improved from the spring to now, and from two to three.
“From here the dream would be Royal Ascot for everyone involved. She’s shown she likes the straight and I think everyone in the group would be keen to go there.
“Where she goes next, I’m not sure but ultimately we’d love to give that a crack.”
