By David Nagel
It’s fair to say that thongs and board shorts are a lot more closely associated with the word ‘Coolangatta’ than top hat and tails.
But Cranbourne trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are looking to suit up and head to Royal Ascot after their exciting filly Coolangatta claimed the Group 1 $1million Lightning Stakes (1000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
The three-year-old daughter of Written Tycoon/Piping Hot claimed the second Group 1 victory of her career, defeating Pakenham-trained I Wish I Win and her stablemate Bella Nipotina to make it a feature-race clean sweep for locals.
Coolangatta was given a gun ride by star-jockey Jamie Kah, settling just off a hot pace set by Nature Strip and Marabi, before exploding to the front at the 200.
Coolangatta held off the fast finish of I Wish I Win, winning by a long neck on the line, with Bella Nipotina also finishing fast for third.
Co-trainer Eustace was thrilled with his fillies fifth win from eight career starts.
“Unbelievable…she was so impressive,” Eustace said post-race.
“She travelled into it so well and she’s had a faultless prep.
“The team has done an amazing job with all three (Marabi and Bella Nipotina).
“It’s a great thrill.”
Eustace said Coolangatta had matured clearly since her early three-year-old days in the Spring.
“We were really confident she’d improved,” he said.
“Physically she’s bigger and stronger.
“She’s heavier and we thought she’d improved from the spring to now, and from two to three.
“With that in mind this had been the race targeted for a long while now.
“A really well judged and timed ride from Jamie (Kah).
“She let her travel deep into the race and didn’t push the button too soon and she was pretty convincing.”
Eustace said the world was now calling or the filly who has now won more than $3million in prizemoney.
“From here the dream would be Royal Ascot for everyone involved,” he said.
“She’s shown she likes the straight and I think everyone in the group would be keen to go there.
“Where she goes next, I’m not sure but ultimately we’d love to give that a crack.”
Eustace praised his staff for having Coolangatta, Bella Nipotina and Marabi in such great shape for the feature sprint.
“Just want to thank the team, to get three out here today in such good form,” he said.
“Lucy (Yeomans) had a few sleepless nights.
“A bit ‘OCD’ but we wouldn’t have it any other way, they’ve done a wonderful job and we’re very proud of them.”
Kah was surprised with Coolangatta’s improvement after riding her to victory in the Group 1 Moir Stakes in September.
“I’ve said it in my interviews leading up to this race, I thought she’d reached her peak last prep and I thought it was still a very good peak,” Kah said.
“I didn’t see her improving that much more, but she’s just come back better and bigger and stronger.
“She’s been doing everything fast and just hanging on.
“But today, she waited off of them and had a turn of foot.
“There were some very good horses in that race and I’m just proud of her, she is just a ripper.”
Kah said she was more hopeful of running a place prior to the race.
“I thought she would run second today honestly, I didn’t think she would be able to beat Nature Strip,” she said.
“The race did shape out for her, there was pressure early, but she is half the size of him (Nature Strip) and she just does things she shouldn’t do, she is just an amazing horse.”
Kah was excited to win her second Lightning Stakes after riding Nature Strip to victory in 2021.
“It’s massive, it is a great race to win,” she said.
“I’ve had some amazing support since I won the Lightning two years ago.
“I can’t believe the ride I am on, I’m very appreciative.”
