Coolmore Stud Stakes & Empire Rose Stakes Preview – Betting, Field & Tips

October 27, 2022 | 12:50 pm

Many of the country’s finest runners, trainers and riders will descend upon Flemington to vie for Group 1 glory this weekend.

All eyes will be on the Victoria Derby at 16:20 on Saturday, but there are also two eagerly anticipated races either side of it. Punters can look forward to the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and the G1 Empire Rose Stakes, both of which will feature several superstars.

Read on to learn more about the Empire Rose Stakes and the Coolmore Stud Stakes, the leading contenders for each race and our top tips.

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Coolmore Stud Stakes

This historic race can trace its roots all the way back to 1863. It has been open exclusively to three-year-olds since 1969, when legendary sprinter Vain saluted. There have been many more famous winners over the years, including Taj Rossi, Surround, Manikato, Rose Of Kingston, Weekend Hussler and Sunlight.

The race achieved Group 1 status in 2006, when it was moved to Victoria Derby Day. It takes place over 1200m at Flemington, run under set weight conditions. The purse stands at $2 million, with $1.2 million earmarked for the winner, so it is one of the richest races of the year.

There were no issues with the barrier draw for the Coolmore Stud Stakes this year. A field of 17 has accepted for this three-year-old feature, including Golden Rose winner Jacquinot.

Coolmore Stud Stakes Odds Bet Now

Coolmore Stud Stakes 2022 Time

The Coolmore Stud Stakes will take place at 15:40 at Flemington on Saturday, 40 minutes prior to the Victoria Derby.

Coolmore Stud Stakes 2022 Preview

Four exciting fillies – In Secret, Coolangatta, Queen Of The Ball and C’est Magique – will take on some of the nation’s finest colts in this race. These are the leading contenders:

In Secret

McDonald will also ride In Secret at Flemington on Saturday. He has a 27% success rate for trainer James Cummings, which bodes well for his chances aboard the Godolphin filly. She looked on course to win the Group 1 Golden Rose Stakes on her last start, only for Jacquinot to blouse her on the line.

In Secret, who has won or placed all her races thus far, will now bid for revenge. She has drawn Barrier 9 for this race, with the track currently rated a soft (6).

Jacquinot

Jacquinot delivered a gutsy performance to reel in rival In Secret and clinch the Golden Rose Stakes last start. He is one of just two Group 1 winners in the field, along with Coolangatta. Jacquinot also won the Group 3 McNeil Stakes at Caulfield this spring, and he is in fine form right now, although he has drawn Barrier 16.

Coolangatta

Coolangatta will jump from Barrier 13 on Saturday, with Craig Williams in the saddle. The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained filly has won or placed in all of her appearances so far, and she has won two of three on soft ground, so she should be there or thereabouts as they hurtle towards the line.

Buenos Noches

The Sydney colt will also jump from the stand side of the track, springing from Barrier 15 alongside Jacquinot. He finished second to the talented Giga Kick in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes last step up, and it will be interesting to see how he handles the step up in class.

Grand Impact

The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained colt recently won the Group 3 Sapphire Stakes. He has drawn Barrier 1 for this race.

Coolmore Stud Stakes Odds Bet Now

Coolmore Stud Stakes Odds

Horse	Fixed Win	Fixed Place
In Secret	$3.70	$1.75
Jacquinot	$5	$2.05
Coolangatta	$7	$2.5
Buenos Noches	$7.5	$2.70
Grand Impact	$10	$3.2
Economics	$12	$3.7
Best Of Bordeaux	$16	$4.4
Sejardan	$20	$4.8
Lofty Strike	$21	$5
Nettuno	$21	$5
Queen Of The Ball	$34	$7
C’est Magique	$41	$8
Doull	$51	$9.5
Meridius	$51	$9.5
Bews	$91	$14
Custodian	$101	$14
Great Barrier Reef	$101	$14

Coolmore Stud Stakes Tip

Coolangatta won the Group 1 Moir Stakes last start, and she will take some stopping in the Coolmore Stud Stakes. She should enjoy the conditions, and she has the pace to get the better of her talented rivals. Grand Impact is an interesting option too, having won all three starts, including a win on a heavy track at Caulfield when fresh last start.

Coolangatta To Win The Coolmore Stud Stakes @ $7.00 Bet Now

Empire Rose Stakes

This Group 1 race is run over a distance of 1600m on Victoria Derby Day at Flemington each year. It is reserved for fillies and mares aged three and older, and it is run under weight for age conditions. The prize purse is $1 million, which always helps to attract a talented array of milers.

There have been some famous winners of this race over the years, including six-time Group 1 winner Typhoon Tracey. Last year, Godolphin filly Colette extended her impressive winning streak in the Empire Rose Stakes. There are some exciting contenders this time around, including Kiwi mare La Crique, who will be making her Australian debut.

Empire Rose Stakes 2022 Time

The Empire Rose Stakes will get underway at 17:00 on Saturday at Flemington.

Empire Rose Stakes 2022 Preview

The Empire Rose Stakes has already provided plenty of drama this week. Victoria Racing Club officials conducted a manual barrier draw for the race on Wednesday morning, but they forgot to add Barrier 14 into the barrel. It was assigned to Yearning, but stewards reviewed the process and ruled that there was an error.

Jamie Stier, executive general manager for integrity at Racing Victoria, deemed it invalid and ordered an electronic redraw. That was bad news for Hinged, who had drawn Barrier 3. Connections were planning to scratch her from the Golden Eagle at Rosehill – where she drew Barrier 20 – and run her in the Empire Rose instead. However, she drew Barrier 16 in the Empire Rose Stakes redraw, so they decided to keep her in Sydney for the Golden Eagle instead.

Empire Rose Stakes Odds Bet Now

La Crique

The Kiwi raider is the favourite for this race after delivering a superb victory in the Group 1 Arrowfield Stud Plate over 1600m at Matamata two weeks ago. Owners Katrina and Simon Alexander have secured the services of a fellow New Zealander, James McDonald, to ride her in this race. McDonald is rated as the world’s best jockey, having ridden famous names such as Verry Elleegant, Nature Strip, Anamoe and It’s A Dundeel to more than 70 Group 1 victories.

He was impressed by La Crique’s dazzling display in the Arrowfield Stud Plate, and he is bullish on her chances of clinching this race. She arrived at Mornington last Wednesday, and if she settles well, she will be dangerous. La Crique has drawn Barrier 8, which has yielded just one winner since 1983. Favourites have a strong record in the race, with Melody Bell winning in 2019 and Shoals saluting in 2017, but Tofane finished seventh last year.

She’s Licketysplit

The Andrew Forman-trained She’s Licketysplit has looked impressive this spring. She won the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes on 1 October and then placed in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield 11 days later. She finished 1¾ lengths behind winner Madame Pommery in that race. The ground was heavy, so she should have no problem dealing with conditions in Melbourne this weekend.

Nimalee

Matthew Smith’s impressive mare won the Group 2 Golden Pendant over 1400m at Rosehill Gardens last month. She overcame a wide barrier draw and she carried topweight of 58kg, but still managed to beat Palaisipan. She finished third in The Invitation last weekend, a length behind Promise Of Success, and she will relish the conditions on Saturday.

Fangirl

Chris Waller, Sydney’s leading trainer, accepted Hinged, Fangirl and Kiku for this race. As mentioned earlier, Hinged will skip the race in favour of the Golden Eagle, but he has not yet revealed plans for Fangirl. She has drawn Barrier 1, which has had two winners of this race since 1983.

Palaisipan

Palaisipan has been handed the widest draw for this race. She has placed in her three outings so far this spring, but she may find it tough to overcome that wide barrier. Having said that, she could run well on the speed, so she definitely warrants respect.