Placed in the Group I ATC Golden Rose and Group II ATC Stan Fox Stakes during the spring, Fastnet Rock gelding Coastwatch launched his autumn campaign with a first up victory in the Group II MRC Autumn Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
Prepared by Chris Waller, Coastwatch was tenacious on the line for Craig Williams holding off all challengers to win by a short half head.
Gelded before his previous preparation, Coastwatch is now a more focused performer and looks set for a good year. He has the overall record of three wins and four placings from 12 starts with prizemoney in excess of $533,000 .
"Chris sent him down here with a fair amount of confidence and thought it was the right race for him,” said stable representative Jo Taylor.
"We do know that these young horses first time around Caulfield can come unstuck but I think he showed a bit of class.
"We're in a very fortunate position that we've got a lot of options with these young horses and coming through runs like these hard fought victories they really come away with confidence and it can really lead to something bigger and better."
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 at Inglis Easter last year for $300,000 to G Waterhouse / A Bott / Kestrel Thoroughbreds and she has a filly by Justify (USA) that will be offered by Willow Park Stud at Inglis Easter as Lot 89.
Bullion Mansion has a filly to follow by Pierro and was covered by I Am Invincible last spring.
Coastwatch looks a likely Guineas prospect for Coolmore’s champion sire Fastnet Rock, who has four entries for Inglis Premier and 19 for Inglis easter.
