COOLMORE STUD STAKES
HISTORY:
* Formerly known as Ascot Vale Stakes and upgraded to Group One in 2006
* The Ascot Vale was first run for three-year-olds with set weights and penalties in 1969 when won by Vain. Before that it was a race for two-year-olds
NOTABLE WINNERS:
* Vain (1969), Century (1972), Taj Rossi (1973), Toy Show (1975), Surround (1976), Manikato (1978), Rancher (1982), Campaign King (1985), Zeditave (1988), Weekend Hussler (2007), Sepoy (2011).
THIS YEARS’S FIELD:
Godolphin colt Exosphere is odds-on favourite to make it four wins from as many starts this campaign. Trainer John O’Shea also has Mogador while Chris Waller saddles up Counterattack and Japonisme. Singapore three-year-old Super One was beaten for the first time in his first Australian start but will be out to bounce back, while Ready For Victory and Dal Cielo are dropping in distance after contesting the Caulfield Guineas last start.
TALKING POINTS:
* In 1995 New Zealander Our Maizcay set race record of 1:08.2 which still stands
* Chris Waller has trained the past two winners, Zoustar and Brazen Beau
* Since it became a Group One race in 2006 three fillies – Gold Edition (2006) Headway (2009) and Nechita (2012) have won. There are no fillies running this year
* Weekend Hussler (2007), Northern Meteor (2008) and Sepoy (2011) have won as odds-on favourites.
STRAIGHT COURSE: Flemington hosts the only straight-track races in Australia. Fields can sometimes split towards the inside and outside fences. Black Vanquish is the only runner to have won over the course.
KEY COMMENTS:
“His condition is good and he’s sound and fit and well.” Exosphere’s trainer John O’Shea.
“I think he’s going into the race in pretty good shape. I was disappointed with Cranbourne but with the benefit of hindsight he didn’t have a great preparation going into it.” Trainer Michael Freedman about Singapore visitor Super One.
“I take confidence out of the Golden Rose. Sebring Sun gave Exosphere a fair start and ran faster sectionals. So we don’t want to be giving him a start.” Gary Portelli trainer of Golden Rose placegetter Sebring Sun.
“I was blown away by Exosphere at Randwick and we can only hope he has an off day.” Chris Waller.
