t may be Victoria Derby Day but the sprint race for three-year-olds is shaping as one of the most eagerly anticipated races of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
The Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday will bring together a crack field of colts and fillies looking to build their record for a potential career at stud.
A seven-horse jump-out at Flemington on Friday gave a clue as to some of the runners in Saturday’s 1200m dash down the famous Flemington straight.
The Next Episode, Paradoxium, St Gotthard, Natural Fling and Under Focus all went around in the 800m jump-out with Paradoxium easily leading home his rivals.
It wasn’t about finishing positions for champion trainer Chris Waller who saw his colt St Gotthard finish third.
“Experience, that is what it was all about,” Waller said.
“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 won the Coolmore Stud Stakes six times, most recently with Switzerland in 2024.
Right from the outset, 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.”
Out to register his first Coolmore Stud Stakes success is Ciaron Maher who had The Next Episode finish fifth, in a bunch, behind the tearaway leader and winner Paradoxium.
The Next Episode has been aimed at Group 1 sprint since winning on the Gold Coast in May and scored first-up in the Danehill Stakes (1100m) at Flemington on October 3.
Like Waller, Maher brought The Next Episode to Flemington for added experience ahead of next Saturday’s race.
“It’s been his aim all the way along,” Maher said.
“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.”
