COOLMORE STUD

STAKES (GROUP 1)

THE Coolmore Stud Stakes, once a rival, has now usurped the Caulfield Guineas, as the key ‘stallions race’ for colts. Moved to the ‘prime time’ of Derby Day in 2006 the race has since produced the stallions Northern Meteor, Star Witness, Sepoy, Zoustar and Brazen Beau.

Set to join that group is Saturday’s winner of the 1,200 metre sprint, Flying Artie, who as recently as Monday was bought into by a syndicate headed by the China Horse Club and Newgate Farm. The Mick Price-trained Artie Schiller colt has had placings in the Blue Diamond Stakes and Golden Slipper but Saturday marked his first win in a Group 1.

Coming from last halfway up the straight six, Flying Artie worked his was through the field before putting his much vaunted rivals to the sword, winning by a widening one and quarter lengths. Second was the Golden Rose winner Astern, a Medaglia d’Oro colt. Third went to the Star Witness colt Star Turn, the previously unbeaten Russian Revolution was fourth with the Blue Diamond and Moir Stakes winner Extreme Choice fifth.

BRIGHT FUTURE

“The horse has always been good,” said Mick Price. “He’s had his excuses in the Blue Diamond but today just franks him as a stud colt.” Price credited jockey Hugh Bowman with a “genius” ride but Bowman was quick to highlight a bright future for Flying Artie.

“He’s the real deal physically, but I think mentally he appreciated being able to snug in behind them and be exposed late,” he said. “It was a dominant win and it spells very exciting things for a bright future because that was a very strong race.”

They also caught the attention of Royal Ascot scout Nick Smith with Mick Price confirming an approach had been made. “It’s something that I would consider if I thought it in the best interest of the horse. Certainly such a move would help establish him as a northern-hemisphere stallion,” said Price. Out of the Rubiton mare Flying Ruby, Flying Artie was a A$50,000 buy at session two of the Inglis Australian Easter Yearling Sale.