THREE GOOD CHANCES IN THE COALMINER CUP
Victoria, the south eastern state of the Australian mainland, the sporting capital of the country and the home of the world famous Melbourne Cup this weekend sees the running of the Coalminer Cup Grade I. A time honoured event over the classic distance of a mile and a half for all horses three years old and up on turf. Just five runners have assembled for this top line race but of those, no less than four of them are ranked among the top fifty turf long horses on the planet. Here’s how they look on paper.
1 – TEX GOLD(IRE) – texasace00 – 3/1
(SADLER’S WELLS x ALYDAR x BOLD RULER)
J Cox ( 543 – 113 – 80 – 104 – 21% )
A four year old colt and a Grade 1 winner over this distance who has the turf long rank of 22. In just twenty career starts he has won on nine occasions and already won over three million dollars in prize money. He is an absolute specialist over this distance and all of his best career victories have been over this trip, one of them being three starts back when he saluted at Grade 1 level in the Saint Cloud Grand Prix where he ran an SP#110. He also has experienced jockey J Cox on board which will assist him here as he will attempt to lead all of the way. Trainer texasace00 said “ He is a mile and a half specialist and a grade one winner, this race suits him perfectly, we expect a good result”. There’s every chance we may see one too.
2 – CREEK MAMBO(KY) – stcselur – 8/5
(KINGMAMBO x STRODES CREEK x HERBAGER)
D Evans ( 689 – 181 – 136 – 122 – 26% )
This four year old son of Kingmambo has won seven of fifteen career starts and has produced some great runs of late. Just three starts back he won a grade two race over this distance and then bettered it two starts back with a Grade 1 win, those two runs produced staggering SP#’s of 116 and 112. He couldn’t reproduce those efforts last time out but will be looking to bounce back here. He is ranked 12th among the turf long runners and has a real penchant for this distance and loves to dominate from in front. Trainer stcselur said “ He has been training perfectly, we couldn’t ask any more of him and he is ready to win again, he had his share of excuses last time out” He is right in this.
3 – CALIFORNIA LOOP(JPN) – equus – 8/5
(MOON BALLAD (IRE) x OUR EMBLEM x TROY(GB))
B Johnson ( 92 – 11 – 17 – 6 – 12% )
This five year old horse is ranked twenty third on the turf stayers ladder and is another who loves to dominate his races from the front. He has won eleven of his twenty five career outings and is nearing the million dollar mark in prize money earned. He found his best last start with an impressive all the way win at Grade III level over eleven furlongs and produced an SP# 111. The two starts prior to that yielded two fourth placings when he was run down after leading. He also led all the way to win a Grade II over a mile and a half four starts back so he is running well. The only concern here is who can win the speed battle up front and whether or not it will take a bit of stamina out of the likely leaders. Trainer equus said “If he can get to the front relatively easy without burning up too much gas, we have a big chance” Time will tell if he can do it.
4 – BLANC DE NOIRS(KY) – widest – 7/2
(RAHY x ZABEEL(NZ) x SHERGAR(GB))
D Dowell ( 524 – 80 – 92 – 66 – 15% )
The veteran of the field at six years old who boasts a turf long ranking of fiftieth and who is coming off an impressive win over this distance. He has won four of his last eight starts including a Grade II event over thirteen furlongs and a Stakes race over eleven furlongs. The bulk of his races have seen him settle midfield and run home strongly which may benefit him here given the number of potential leaders. Trainer widest said “ We have a good jockey on board, I’ve told him to just sum up the speed and give him a soft run in transit then explode at the business end of proceedings, hopefully it will all go to plan” He definitely offers punters some value at 7/2.
5 – FIVE STAR PROSPECT(KY) – erdiya – 20/1
(RAHY x MR. PROSPECTOR x APALACHEE)
J Kohlmorgen ( 330 – 35 – 35 – 31 – 11% )
The rank outsider of the field who bounced back to form last time out with a fast finishing win over two miles in allowance company, prior to that he had struggled to make an impression in recent times bar a couple of thirds where he was soundly beaten. His SP#’s have only averaged around the low 90’s and he will need to improve upon that to go well here. He may benefit from the early speed as his normal running style is to come from near the tail. Trainer erdiya said “We have thrown him in at the deep end here but we think he can improve, his trackwork has been great and we think he may relish the shorter trip” He definitely has a big task ahead to gain a Grade 1 win here.
In what looks a nice race on paper with tactics sure to play a big part, especially given three of the five runners like to lead. I’ve selected 2-1-3-4-5
Good Luck and Good Punting
BUTCHA