Coolmore Stud Stakes Preview and Tips 02/11/24

Flemington Racecourse really does see some major events during the Spring Racing Carnival, doesn’t it? It’s Derby Day at Flemington on Saturday and then, of course, in just a couple days, it’s the Melbourne Cup. Soak it all up while you can, it doesn’t get much better than this!

The feature race on Derby Day is the Victoria Derby, but we also see two other Group One races at the track, the Coolmore Stud Stakes and the Empire Rose Stakes. Looking elsewhere, we also see The Golden Eagle, the Russell Balding Stakes and the Rosehill Gold Cup, which all take place in Sydney on Saturday.

My Saturday tips have arrived at OnlyRacing and I have a set of tips for all six races mentioned above, but for this article in particular, I’m going through the Coolmore Stud Stakes. A field of 14 line up for the Coolmore Stud Stakes and I have got my best bets, just for you.

I’m expecting a moderate pace for the 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes on Saturday, there are a few runners that will probably look to push forward, including the likes of the current (narrow) favourite with PlayUp, Growing Empire. Yoshinobu, Lady Of Camelot and Gallant Son also have decent barrier speed.

Traffic Warden, who is currently on the second line of betting, will likely settle just off the pace, with some cover, waiting for the right gaps to open in the closing stages of the race. In terms of closing speed, look for First Settler and Bellatrix Star as they might make up a decent amount of ground.

Seems to be the flavour of the Spring Racing Carnival at the moment, an open field! This is what we see once again in the Coolmore Stud Stakes with five of the 14 runners in the field listed with odds of $8.50 or less, according to PlayUp. An open field can sometimes be difficult to pick from, but I do like the look of Lady Of Camelot, who is currently paying $7.00.

Unlucky in The Everest, where she finished 1.4L off the pace, in fourth. Only was able to get going late in that one. Gets to Flemington for the first time and I’m expecting a decent amount of improvement from the Golden Slipper winner. Carries 2kg less than the majority of the field and gets a decent barrier. Let’s go Lady Of Camelot.

With the speed that Growing Empire has in his arsenal, I would be doing everyone a disservice by not putting him in as my safe bet for the Coolmore Stud Stakes. He is certainly good enough to be winning this one and the market certainly thinks so as well, he is currently the $3.60 favourite with Bet365.

Another runner coming through The Everest and he finished third in that one. His prep so far has been excellent and he doesn’t seem to be slowing down anytime soon. He has two wins, a second place and a third place under his belt so far. He gets back to his one age this time out as well, which is another big tick.

Having a little bit of a throw at the stumps with my best value bet for the 2024 Coolmore Stud Stakes. I’m siding with Bodyguard who is currently paying a whopping $61 to win the race at Dabble and I think that’s overs, so there’s value there. The price for Bodyguard is the equal most for all runners in the race and that seems a little silly to me.

He hasn’t been putting in the best results as of late, but it’s not due to a lack of skill, he’s just been a bit unlucky. His recent trials were also very encouraging. Now, I don’t think he can win this, but at $9.00 for the place? Sign me up! He also gets the services of Hugh Bowman, so I’ll be having a little place bet on the guy.

Trainer Chris Waller knows what it’s like to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes, he’ll be vying for his sixth win here with Switzerland (he also has Gatsby’s in the race). The colt is coming through the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes, where he put them all in their place, winning by 2L. 

He is on the fresher side of life at the moment, only racing once since mid-September. The timing looks to be good for Switzerland (would we expect anything else from the master that is Chris Wallter) and the 3YO is currently paying $6.50 to win the race, with QuestBet. He is one to watch and is certainly the danger in this race.

While I did find a $61 roughie that I like the look of, the honour of the best roughie goes to Coleman. He is currently paying $17 with Bet Right and I think he can give the Coolmore Stud Stakes a good shake. Coleman is yet to break through at Group One level, in five attempts but has finished second and third.

He’s another runner coming through the Roman Consul Stakes and he finished second behind Switzerland, who is one of the more favoured runners in the market for this one. This looks to be tougher and he’ll need to be at his best, but his best will be good enough for a top-three finish.

All my Coolmore Stud Stakes horse racing tips and their odds can be found here:

Bookmaker	Tip	Odds
	Lady Of Camelot (win)	$7.00
	Growing Empire (each-way)	$3.60/$1.75
	Bodyguard (place)	$9.00
	Switzerland (place)	$2.30
	Coleman (place)	$4.40