Balon D’Or Heads Australian Classic Coffeefields Cup

One of the premier turf events on the racing calendar in Australia. Lately it has seen International participation pick up which will make it better. Sires like Boom Time, Best Solution and Mer de Glace might produce future runners for this event.

The handicappers choice is Applefarms Kentucky bred Balon D’or (#7, 2-1). The former claimer has been dominating rivals all season. After a 3-race win streak the chestnut gelding by Kitten’s Joy stepped up in  class and lost narrowly to multiple Grade 1 winner King Kam Galileo. September 10 on this course Balon D’or stormed home to win the Grade 1 Expensive Jalopy. His 122 speed badge over this course and trip makes him very formidable in this spot.

Using the less is more theory, the Macho Uno light grey colt, Commitment Wanted (#5, 7-1) was thriving before fading in the Grade 1 Smokeglack. Punter had a well thought out plan early this season as the colt was a dominating winner this spring. He took down the Grade 2 Dawn to Dusk in July with a 113 speed badge. With the Grade 2 win the colt equaled his mama who took down the Mallrat in 2018. Last time out in New York’s very competitive Smokeglack. This guy tried to sit off the early pace but faded very badly late. The connections bring the 9-time winner to Victoria wanting a better result.

Aussiebiz Stables Tyson LV (#2, 5-1) was a Stakes winner at three. The bay colt by Violence has been very good at this extended distance through his career. Usually placed on dirt, the 5-time winner was sent long on grass last time out in Germany. Fell back a bit too far and had lots to do late. But momentum was going in the right direction in deep stretch and he managed a decent fourth for his first on turf. Connections were eyeing a Grade 3 in Germany this weekend. But are taking a big swing here in a Grade 1 worth $3 million. Confidence is not lacking. If he reproduces past dirt 12 furlong races here he’ll be around for a nice prize.  

Corzak brings Ancient Fog (#1, 50-1) here as a longshot. The bay Austrailian bred horse has excelled over this distance in the past with four victories. Its curious why the connections haven’t tried him more over this trip. But they step up and take a shot this weekend with a horse struggling at the moment. A horse who can be versatile he’ll want to show his best form today as part of the home team.

Vegas Stars (#3, 7-1) by Lope de Vega is a 5-time winner who’s been patiently handled through a 16 race career. Lbaileybbbbbbarn has a text book case of running a horse through his conditions. Steping up in distance and class has not proved to difficult. Last time out going 10 panels he won an Irish local Stakes race with a 114 speed badge. He weaved through a large field and powered home late as a 15-1 outsider. He’ll need to prove it again going even farther but you can’t knock the recent form.

Cork Stables brings three-year-old longshot Sun Bassett (#4, 87-1) to the big dance off a smashing prep race on September 14 going very long against NW1x company. This race marks a huge step up in class for the nicely bred bay colt by The Autumn Sun. He owns a win over this turf course and will have the cheers of the home crowd behind him for this event.

A sneaky contender comes from Irish bred Henry Rono (#10, 8-1). 47Away’s gelding by Shamardal has displayed very nice tactical speed as a miler. He matured this season and quickly ran through his conditions using a close to the pace style. Two starts back he won impressively earning a speed badge of 112. Last time out in Graded company he offered very little and had none of his handiness. Look for him to be more aggressive for this big prize. He’ll need to overcome the distance and some classy foes to be the hero this weekend.  

Consulate in Tacna (#8, 13-1) was marketed for only $8k in early September. The gelding by Eye on Jacob has a big heart and the will to win as evidenced by his 12 career scores. His speed numbers seem low against this group but the handicappers have come down on his side. The Peruvian bred adds to the International flavour of this Turf Classic.

Yunkai Stables has the ultra consistent Yunkish Wares (#9, 4-1) here with a big chance at his first Graded win. Brilliantly handled during this campaign, the Galileo colt always fires his best. He loves to be in front or tracking the speed and has shown a knack for carrying his speed a long way. Two back in the Milan Grand Prix he made the running but was caught late in a much tougher field than he faces today. Last time out in the Judgemont he lost by less than 3 lengths and it makes him one to fear if he can shake loose at the right time.

Hugh Stables brings Pioneerof Cozzene (#6, 7-1) back to this course for another crack at Balon D’Or. Last time in the Jalopy over this course and trip the Roan horse by Pioneerof the Nile was beaten almost 19 lengths. Before that he was a closing second in the Deauville in his best race of the campaign. The closer is still looking for his first Graded score and he needs to find some improvement to contend against these.