The 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes field has been released and the Group 1 event is set to be the race of the 2014 Melbourne Cup Carnival after a stunning group of 16 three-year-olds were included in the acceptances for the race.
Rich Enuff has the chance to record a maiden win at Group 1 level in the 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Rich Enuff (barrier ten) is on top of the Coolmore Stud Stakes field and he will be dropping back to 1200 metres after he finished a tough second behind Shooting To Win in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11.
The Written Tycoon colt started his 2014 Spring Racing Carnival campaign with impressive wins in the Listed McKenzie Stakes (1200m), Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) and Group 3 Caulfield Guineas Prelude (1400m) and is set to start the Coolmore Stud Stakes as favourite.
Gerald Ryan-trained Rubick (barrier one) is set to challenge Rich Enuff for Coolmore Stud Stakes favouritism after he returned to racing with a strong win in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes (1000m) at Caulfield on October 11.
The Encosta De Lago colt missed the start of the spring due to a virus, but he has taken no long term problems from the setback and is rated an excellent chance to enhance his value at stud by taking out the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Brazen Beau (barrier 15) is another horse in the 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes field that will be taking winning form into the race after he recorded an impressive victory in the Group 2 Roman Consul Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on October 4.
The I Am Invincible colt will be having his second race start down the famous Flemington straight after he started his spring preparation with a fifth place finish in the Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1200m) on September 13.
Gerald Ryan-trained Time For War, San Domenico Stakes winner Nostradamus and Brazen Beau’s stablemate Delectation will also be backing up in the Coolmore Stud Stakes after running in the Roman Consul Stakes.
One of the most interesting horses in the Coolmore Stud Stakes field is Joe Pride-trained Kuro, who has recorded four wins from as many race starts this preparation.
Kuro started his spring preparation with two wins at benchmark level before he stepped up to Listed level to take out the Listed Heritage Stakes (1100m) at Royal Randwick on September 20 and recorded a comfortable two lengths victory in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) at the same venue on October 18.
Pride considered sending Kuro (barrier 16) to the spelling paddock before bringing him back for an autumn preparation, but he has elected to give the Denman colt a maiden opportunity at Group 1 level in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Fillies have a strong record in the Coolmore Stud Stakes and Earthquake, Eloping and Bring Me The Maid have all been included in the field for the 2014 edition of the race.
Earthquake made a slow start to her 2014 Spring Racing Carnival preparation when finishing third in both the Group 2 Furious Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick on September 6 and the Group 2 Tea Rose Stakes (1400m) at the same venue on September 20, but she returned to winning form with a tough performance in the Group 3 Thoroughbred Club Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 11.
Eloping will also be taking winning form into the Coolmore Stud Stakes after she recorded back-to-back wins in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) at Moonee Valley on September 26 and the Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 15, while connections are hoping that Bring Me The Maid can return to winning form after finishing fourth in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) at Caulfield on October 11.
The 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes field is rounded out by Golden Rose runner-up Scissor Kick (barrier eight), Godolphin colt Ghibellines (barrier six), Red Anchor Stakes winner Galaxy Pegasus (barrier five), Team Snowden-trained Inkling (barrier four), consistent colt Husson Eagle (barrier 11) and Peter Moody-trained Armada (barrier 13).
