A second consecutive winner of the Group III Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes (1000m) for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and reigning champion stallion Written Tycoon as the brilliant Coolangatta confirmed her place at the head of betting for the Golden Slipper.
Ridden by James McDonald, Coolangatta had few favours in the run before spearing clear for a dominant three and a half-length victory.
The Merchant Navy filly Drisana struck a few traffic problems when coming from well back early to gain second, a half-length ahead of the $750,000 Not A Single Doubt filly Pantonario in third.
McDonald said the win was eerily similar to that of Enthaar last year.
“Exactly a cut and paste of Enthaar. Everything is similar about her,” McDonald said.
“The way she acts and the way she gallops is very professional. She is very easy to ride, especially when you are coming up against a lot of green horses.
“Ciaron educates them in Melbourne then brings them here. There is a way to go, but she’s a very smart filly.
“She came through the professional school, so she is just like an older horse to ride. She does get a bit fizzy, as you would expect for a young horse, very enthusiastic. It is hard to muck up rides like that when she is so professional.”
Stable representative Jack Bruce said Coolangatta may have been even more impressive than Enthaar.
It’s probably relief more than anything. The team have had so much belief in this horse, Bruce said.
“Such a good group of clients involved, and it was pleasing to see her rip clear. Hard to get a thrill like that in racing. It certainly comes close to the best.
“The team have always said she is just so natural. Ciaron and David haven’t done too much with her. Just let her get here on her own raw ability. She is a well-built filly and such a pleasure to look at. She did everything right.
“There are so many options these days. You’ve got the Golden Gift, Magic Millions. It’s going to be a team decision to sit down and think about where we take her. She has so much natural ability, and the world’s her oyster.”
Bred by Highclere Stud Australia, Coolangatta was a $280,000 purchase by Ciaron Maher Bloodstock from the Milburn Creek draft at the Magic Millions Gold Coast Yearling Sale.
She is the second foal and second winner for the Sydney winning More Than Ready (USA) mare Piping Hot, whose first foal Snitzonfire (Snitzel) won on debut at Moruya on September 19.
A $320,000 purchase by John and Jake Warren at the 2015 Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale, Piping Hot is a half-sister to the Group 1 MRC Blue Diamond Stakes winner Reaan (Hussonet), a daughter of the Group II Moonee Valley Oaks winner Ribe (Danehill).
Piping Hot has a yearling filly by Dundeel and was covered by Capitalist last spring.
Coolangatta becomes the 43rd stakes-winner for Yulong Stud’s Written Tycoon, who stands at a fee of $165,000 this spring.
