Victorian mare Coeur Volante will be out to deliver an emotional Coolmore Classic win for connections just over two weeks after the death of her popular trainer Michael Moroney.
The Melbourne Cup-winning horseman died in his sleep last month after recently making a training comeback following a serious battle with illness.
His training partner Glen Thompson will saddle up Coeur Volante in Saturday’s Group 1 Rosehill feature and says the mare has continued to please the stable since her sweeping four-length win in last month’s Mannerism Stakes (1400m).
“She has done very well. She is really handling her racing this time, which is good to see,” Thompson said.
“I think the trip away to Queensland really toughened her up and hopefully she gets up there and settles in well and she is going to run a hell of a race.
“We always thought she was a Group One horse and hopefully she shows that on Saturday.”
Coeur Volante had a two-start preparation in Brisbane during last year’s winter carnival and was unplaced in both races.
However, Thompson admitted the mare was impacted by the travel and that was his only concern ahead of her Sydney trip.
“The only worry is how she copes with the travelling,” he said.
“She struggled a bit last time and it has definitely toughened her up but she has got to go back and do it again. Whether she copes with that or not, we’ll find out on Saturday.
“If she stays where she’s at at the moment, she will be competitive in whatever she runs in.”
Fittingly, Kerrin Mcevoy has been charged with the task of partnering Coeur Volante in the Coolmore Classic (1500m).
McEvoy was a 20-year-old apprentice when he won the first of his three Melbourne Cups aboard the Moroney-trained Brew 25 years ago.
Coeur Volante, who has drawn the inside gate, is a $9.50 chance with betting sites for Saturday’s feature.
