The flying Written Tycoon filly Coolangatta found conditions to suit when returning to the winners list in Friday’s $1,000,000 Group 1 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.
Sent straight to the front by Jamie Kah, the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly stuck on bravely to defeat the tragically underrated Bella Nipotina (Pride Of Dubai) by a head with Zoustyle (Zoustar) one and a quarter length back in third.
After winning her first three starts, (Group III ATC Gimcrack Stakes, Group III BRC BJ McLachlan Stakes, Magic Millions 2yo Classic (RL)), Coolangatta met defeat for the first time when closing out her juvenile season when third in the Group 1 ATC Golden Slipper.
Third on resumption behind Rothfire in the Group II McEwen Stakes, Coolangatta advanced her record to four wins and two thirds from six starts with earnings of $2,394,000.
“It was her first run going this way of going the other day. Many doubters say, what are you putting a three-year-old filly in a race like that against those hardened sprinters,” Maher said
“I was very confident in the horse and knew the way she pulled up the other day, I knew she had a tough run, but she pulled up very well. She was very fit going into it.
“It was a super ride by Jamie. There’s not too many jockeys that can ride 50 (kg) and ride as well as her at any weight.
“I thought she’s be sitting behind one, but she took the initiative, she took luck out of the race. Full credit to the team. They have done a great job with her across the states. It’s a massive thrill to get a horse this early in her career to win a Group 1 like that.
“We’ll see how she pulls up, but it’s a big tick, and if she did nothing else this prep, she’s a maturing filly, and it was a big effort and a great thrill.”
Kah said it was an effort to get down 50kgs.
“It was so worth it. It’s been a long time between drinks since my last Group 1,” Kah said.
“They’re so hard to win and when you’re on Ciaron’s horses it is a lot easier because he’s got some good horses among them.
“With Bella coming towards me I was thinking ‘come on let me have this one’.
“She was tough, but like Ciaron said I was in the box seat and there wasn’t much speed but when she jumped to the front she just took luck out of the equation.
“With the weight on her back I was pretty happy cruising along. It is hard do to what she did going against the older horses and do that even with the weight but she’s a star and I’m was happy to be on her at the right time.”
Raced by a partnership that includes prominent owners John O'Neill, Ozzie Kheir, Brae Sokolski, and Matthew Becker’s Group 1 Bloodstock, Coolangatta was a $280,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Milburn Creek draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
Bred by Highclere Stud Australia, Coolangatta is a half-sister to the talented Snitzel gelding Snitzonfire. They are the first two foals of the Sydney-winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Piping Hot.
Kennewell Racing / Group 1 Bloodstock (FBAA) / Trilogy Racing shelled out $300,000 for Piping Hot’s Dundeel filly from the Milburn Creek draft at the 2022 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.
Piping Hot foaled a sister to Coolangatta on August 18.
