Coram takes next step towards Golden Rose Stakes in Flemington outing

Another smart performance at Flemington on Saturday could see Coram take the next step towards a start in the Group 1 $1m Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 13.

Blue Diamond winner Earthquake is the early favourite for the Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill.

Blue Diamond winner Earthquake is the early favourite for the Golden Rose Stakes at Rosehill. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Flemington trainer Troy Corstens will be keen to head north to Sydney if Coram repeats his six lengths demolition in winning his maiden at Geelong on July 18 when he lines up in the $80,000 Joyann Erskine & Philip Carroll BenchMark 70 Handicap (1400m) at Flemington.

“He’ll have one run in Sydney then into the Golden Rose but he has to keep ticking the boxes to warrant going up there,” Corstens, who trains in partnership with his father Leon, told the Sportsman.

“He’s always shown that sort of ability, he didn’t beat a hell of a lot at Geelong so we are not getting too ahead of ourselves but it was what we needed to see him do.”

“He still did things wrong at Geelong so by no means he is at his top, he is still learning and we are hoping he can put it all together in his next three or four runs.”

Coram made his debut at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate day last year and impressed the stable with a handy first up fifth in the $250,000 Inglis Banner (1000m), beaten less than two lengths.

“It was a really good run and we out him away and did the right thing,” Corstens said.

The Sebring colt was then spelled and brought back for the Autumn but after two more unplaced runs Corstens decided to geld him after not copping well in his pre-race preparation.

“The testosterone just got the better of him and he melted in the mounting yard,” Corstens said.

“He was like an ice cream, he’d fizz right up and got very hot and that was the end of him.”

“That was the only reason he was gelded other than that he had the perfect attitude.”

Coram has drawn barrier eight in the nine horse field and Chris Symons will be aboard again after his winning ride at Geelong.

The Peter Moody trained San Nicasio is also coming off a country win and heads to Flemington after recording a one and a quarter lengths win over 1105m in a Warracknabeal maiden on July 22.

While Fontein Ruby from the Robert Smerdon stable is stepping up to Saturday class after a midweek win at Sandown over 1200m on July 27.

Coram currently heads the market order for the BenchMark 70 Handicap with Ladbrokes.com.au at $3 ahead of Fontein Ruby at $4.60 and San Nicasio at $6.50.

In Golden Rose Stakes betting Coram is marked as $26 in the market order that has the Blue Diamond Stakes winner Earthquake the early favourite at $6.50 ahead of the Golden Slipper winner Mossfun at $8.50 and the Gai Waterhouse trained Almalad at $9.

.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.