Goodfella bound for Coolmore after claiming Brian Crowley Stakes

Tom Walter - Saturday October 21

Warwick Farm trainer Bjorn Baker has his sights set on Flemington's Group I Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) with Brian Crowley Stakes winner Goodfella.

Advertisement
Jason Collett pilots Goodfella to victory in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart

Goodfella started a $2.25 favourite in the 1200m Listed event at Randwick on Saturday and duly got the job done under Jason Collett.

Baker had indicated earlier in the week that the Snitzel colt was on trial for the Coolmore Stud Stakes and is now taking a philosophical approach to the potentially career-changing race on Derby Day.

"You've got to be in it to win it," Baker said.

"He's really improved in the last two weeks and the owners are keen to get down to Melbourne.

"He did a super job as a juvenile and deserves a good race."

Despite coming back in distance from a win over the Randwick 1400m a fortnight ago, Goodfella's class came to the fore over the final 200m, defeating Godolphin's Piracy ($7) by half a length. The Chris Waller-trained Andaz ($7) finished a further short half head back in third.

"That (coming back to 1200m) was always a bit of a question mark, but he's a very tough horse and appreciated the soft conditions," Baker said.

"He's come back from a wind operation so he's done a great job."

The victory came 40 minutes after Baker's resuming stayer Collateral ($17) narrowly missed in a photo finish to the ClubsNSW Handicap (1400m).

"He'll go to an 1800m race in a couple of weeks but it was a great return. I gave him a huge chance to be honest," Baker said.

"He's a very good horse. You don't do what he did last preparation without having a heap of ability."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Private Eye’s Half-Brother King’s Secret Wins Again
Although he may never reach the heights of his older half-brother Private Eye, a Group 1 winner and earner of more than $12m to date, connections of King’s Secret (Shalaa) are sure to have plenty of their own fun with the 3yo gelding winning at Rosehill on Saturday.
Another Aussie SW Sourced from Aga Khan Studs
When Australian investors buy tried horses out of Europe from Aga Khan Studs they know they are getting quality, but the good ones don’t come cheap with Elamaz (IRE) sourced from their draft at the Arqana Arc Sale last year for €480,000.
Better Than Ready’s Metalart Wins Group 3 W J Healy Stakes
Improving off a third in the Listed Lightning Handicap at Eagle Farm recently, 4yo Better Than Ready gelding Metalart stepped up to 1200m to record his first black type success, winning the Group 3 W J Healy Stakes.
Tattersall’s Mile For The Inflictor - Under The Louvre’s Second SW
Third at Listed level before winning at Doomben, the Craig Cousins-trained The Inflictor (Under The Louvre) then tackled the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap, and while not in the same league as winner War Wachine (Harry Angel), the 4yo gelding showed his class on Saturday to win the Listed BRC Tattersall’s Mile (1600m) at Eagle Farm.
Corumbene Stud Homebred Tashi Wins G1 Tatts Tiara
From the last crop of foals sired by Widden Stud’s much missed Golden Slipper winning sire Sebring, five year-old mare Tashi may also be his final Group I winner as she produced a career best performance at Eagle Farm on Saturday to win the $700,000 Group I Tatts Tiara (1400m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday June 28
Here is the full list of 109 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Aussie 2YO SW for Tivaci
New Zealand-bred colt Matahga stamped himself as an exciting spring three-year-old prospect with a hard-fought victory in the A$120,000 Listed David Peacock Oaklands Plate (1400m) at Morphettville on Saturday.
Wootton Bassett Winning Whirl
It was a red letter day for Wootton Bassett (GB) at The Curragh overnight with a treble of winners highlighted by top class filly Whirl, who captured the Group I Pretty Polly Stakes (1m2f), a race won by the mighty Via Sistina in 2023.
Miss Joelene Achieves Millionaire Status
This time last year, Miss Joelene was highlighting herself as one to watch for the future, having placed in the Group 2 The Roses and the Group 1 Queensland Oaks, and after a few runs behind the outstanding Antino (Redwood) this time in, a class drop on Saturday saw her record victory in the $200,000 Listed BRC Tattersall’s Gold Crown (2100m) at Eagle Farm.
Almanzor Stayer wins G3 Tattersalls Cup
It's been a long time since the  2022 Victoria Derby and some may have wondered whether the winner Manzoice was ever going to win again!