Royal Ascot Contenders Step Out at Flemington

Tara Madgwick - Monday May 29

Royal Ascot contenders Coolangatta, Artorius and Cannonball all competed in a 900m jumpout at Flemington Monday morning with connections of two of the three horses well satisfied.

Cannonball finished second, Coolangatta third and Artorius a late closing fifth.

Cool

angatta’s co-trainer Ciaron Maher reportedly described her gallop as "plain" and will assess the daughter of Written Tycoon further before her planned departure on June 7.

Artorius is headed to the Group I Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes (1200m) on the last day of Royal Ascot with connections believing he is in better shape than last year, while Coolangatta and Cannonball will go to the Group I King’s Stand Stakes (5f) on June 21 and Peter and Paul Snowden could not be happier with Cannonball.

Peter Snowden was delighted with Cannonball, who is flying under the radar somewhat having  only had one start at Group I level when he finished third to Mariamia in the ATC The Galaxy carrying just 50kg.

Cannonball has nothing to lose and much to gain at Royal Ascot - image Steve Hart

"He trialled great,'' Snowden told Racenet.

"You would be hard to please if you weren't happy with that trial.

Advertisement

"It is good to see him continue with the form he has been showing us this year.

"He is still a young horse, he's a three-year-old colt but he definitely has a lot of potential.

"I feel he is almost there now. He had a bit of a ‘puff' this morning and we won't do much more with him before he leaves for England.

"He won't do any more fast work but we might do some pacework on the weekend.

"When we get to England I'm hoping we can take him to Ascot to have a look at the track before his race.''

A powerhouse chestnut colt by Capitalist, Cannonball was a $975,000 Magic Millions purchase from the Newgate Farm draft for James Harron Bloodstock and runs for a syndicate of JHB clients.

A full brother to Group II winning sprinter Marine One from stakes-winning Snitzel mare Golconda, Cannonball will be looking to build his profile as a sire prospect for the future.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Karaka Million Dreaming for Out of the Blue
Te Akau Racing marketing manager Julia-Rose Hayes has had plenty of success syndicating horses selected by her father, David Ellis, and that has continued with her latest syndicate.
Equimillion This Long Weekend – Draws and Start Lists
Racing NSW have their annual Equimillion event coming up this long weekend at Sydney International Equestrian Centre at Horsley Park and for people interested in off the trackers it’s a showcase for the sport, so let’s take a look at who’s who in the zoo.
2025 G1 The Metropolitan Field and Barrier Draw
Chris Waller and Ciaron Maher are set to have half of the Group I Metropolitan field between them with the Waller trained Birdman an easing favourite after drawing a wide gate for Saturday’s race.
Resolute Racing Purchase Top Lot Goffs Orby Day 1
The Goffs Orby Yearling Sale kicked off overnight and the top lot on Day 1 was a colt by Blue Point purchased by John Stewart’s Resolute Bloodstock for €675,000, while Wootton Bassett produced the top selling filly, whose half-brother Trinity College is now in Australia.
Pedigree Potential –NZB Ready to Run – Nicks that Click
A quality packed catalogue for the 2025 NZB Ready to Run Sale is now online and in the lead up to the sale we’ll go looking each week for some horses of interest that jump out on pedigree for various reasons.
Tara Talks Racing - Insights from a Legend - Darren Beadman
Beiwacht upstaged his more fancied rivals to win the $1million Group I ATC Golden Rose last Saturday in course record breaking style to become the hottest colt in Australia giving us the opportunity to chat to a legend that has been very much involved in his story so far.
She's Unusual Keeps Good Times Rolling
Continued success with resident stallion Unusual Suspect and their racing team has kept Nigel and Adaire Auret busier than they may have envisaged, but without any complaints.
Sires With Winners - Monday September 29
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
2025 G1 Epsom Handicap Field and Barrier Draw
The field and barrier draw has been decided for the Group I Epsom Handicap on Saturday with odds-on favourite and unbeaten mare Autumn Glow drawing the extreme outside gate in a field of 14.
Jenni The Pride of Trelawney
Comeback mare Pride Of Jenni has given Trelawney Stud a number of reasons to look forward to the spring after a dashing victory in the Gr.2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) on Friday night.