Exciting Fastnet Rock three year-old Coastwatch was narrowly beaten last start in the Group III ATC Up and Coming Stakes and made amends when going back to Kembla on Saturday to score a stylish victory in the Group III ATC Ming Dynasty Stakes (1400m).
Trained by Chris Waller and ridden by James McDonald , Coastwatch enjoyed a good run in transit from gate one and hit the line strongly to win by three-quarters of a length over expensive $1.1million Redoute's choice colt Military Expert.
Gelded before this preparation, Coastwatch is now a more focused performer and has the overall record of two wins and two placings from eight starts with prizemoney in excess of $160,000 .
“He has the makings of a very good horse and I think in the autumn he’ll be a Randwick Guineas, Doncaster style of horse,” said Chris Waller.
“He showed us good ability at two, but now that he’s matured as a three year-old you can really see the difference.”
James McDonald was also impressed with Coastwatch and predicts a bright future.
“He’s a very smart horse with a good mind and a great turn of foot,” he said.
“You’ll see the best of him at a mile to 2000m. He will be on an upward spiral from here on in and he’ll be in all the big races.”
A $750,000 Inglis Easter purchase for Mulcaster Bloodstock from the Coolmore draft, Coastwatch runs for a syndicate that includes Coolmore and partners and was broken in an educated at Coolmore.
A half-brother to Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas winner Mighty Boss and stakes-placed Shiralee, Coastwatch was foaled and raised at Coolmore and is the fifth winner from seven foals to race from good producer Bullion Mansion, an Encosta de Lago daughter of Group I winner La Volta.
Coolmore sold a Pierro yearling colt from Bullion Mansion a Inglis Easter this year for $300,000 to G Waterhouse / A Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds and she has a filly by Justify (USA) to follow.
Bullion Mansion was covered last year by Pierro and is booked to visit exciting new Coolmore newcomer King’s Legacy this spring.
Coastwatch is the 178th stakes-winner for champion sire Fastnet Rock, who stands at a fee of $165,000 this spring.
