Underrated colt Lean Mean Machine is set to rumble with the blinkers on in the Group 1 $1m Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Lean Mean Machine, above, will race with the blinkers on in the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Steve Hart.
Trainer Chris Waller was a little concerned that Lean Mean Machine failed to reach his top in a recent jump out but with the blinkers on in a gallop on Tuesday morning, the Zoustar colt produced but the premier trained wanted to see.
“In his jump out I thought he might have floated a little over the concluding stages so for that reason the blinkers went on on Tuesday Morning in his track gallop and it seemed to do the job,” Waller said.
“Therefore he will wear them on Saturday.”
“Whilst he might not have figured in the finish on Golden Rose day, he is certainly better than that run and I expect him to prove himself on Saturday and will be hard to beat.”
“He has a beautiful action and I think the tough 1200m will certainly suit him, as will running on the good track.”
Lean Mean Machine was a winner two starts back in the Group 2 $200,000 The Run To The Rose (1200m) at Rosehill on September 8 and then had a freshen up after running fifth to stablemate The Autumn Sun in the Group 1 $1m De Bortoli Wines Golden Rose Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill on September 22.
Lean Mean Machine has drawn barrier three in the ten horse Coolmore Stud Stakes field with Hugh Bowman taking the ride while his stablemate Zousain has drawn next to him in gate four with James McDonald on top.
“He has drawn right next to Zousain with Hugh Bowman in the saddle,” Waller said.
Lean Mean Machine is marked at the generous odds of $9 for the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au while Zousain is the $ equal favourite alongside of the Grahame Begg trained Written By.
Waller can’t fault the condition of Zousain who also has a brief break after running second to The Autumn Sun in the Golden Rose Stakes.
“He looks a picture of health and comes into this race with very good form lines behind The Autumn Sun,” Waller said.
“James McDonald retains the ride and will jump from barrier 4 which gives us the option to go to either side of the track or simply have cover up the middle so I think it is a favourable barrier for him.”
Equal favourite Written By (Jordan Childs, barrier 6) is undefeated from two runs this campaign at Caulfield and goes into the Coolmore Stud Stakes after a win in a 1000m three year old Plate followed by a win in the Group 3 $350,000 Catanach’s Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) on October 17.
The Tony McEvoy trained Sunlight (Luke Currie, barrier 7) is the only filly in the race and is well in contention in the betting at $4.60.
