Karaka Graduate Kolding Thriving Ahead of Golden Eagle

Media Release - Wednesday October 30

New Zealand-bred galloper Kolding is on song for the A$7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill on Saturday, according to jockey Glenn Boss.

Kolding - image Steve HartThe Chris Waller-trained gelding has won two of his three starts this campaign, including his last start heroics in the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m), but it was his 1030m trial at Rosehill last week that really has Boss fizzing.

“I had the opportunity to trial him last week and I felt that he has come on since the Epsom,” he said.

“Physically he looked amazing, but mentally he just felt really on the job. He gave me all the right signs as a jockey, going towards a major race, that you want to see and feel.”

Boss is unbeaten on the son of Ocean Park after piloting him to victories in the Gr.3 Bill Ritchie Handicap (1400m) and Epsom, and he has taken a lot of confidence from the form that has come out of the latter race.

Runner-up Te Akau Shark was impressive when running third in the Gr.1 Cox Plate (2040m) on Saturday, while Nettoyer has subsequently won the Gr.3 Angst Stakes (1600m).

“This will be his fourth run in this prep, so he should do nothing but improve. He’s just a good, genuine racehorse,” Boss said.

“He’s been a revelation since he has been gelded. He is one of our better four-year-olds now and that form (in The Epsom) has been franked. There has been a lot of good form to come out of the Epsom this year.

Advertisement

“He is going to be pretty popular on the weekend, but he’s going to have to go up a notch because this is a really serious race.”

While Boss is confident in his charge, he is wary of a 7kg rise in weight from Kolding’s Epsom run.

“This is probably going to be a stronger race than the Epsom and the weight difference is a big thing,” Boss said.

“Brutal is getting closer to his better distance now and Arcadia Queen is definitely getting towards her distance. It is going to be a really intriguing race and I am really looking forward to it.”

Kolding will jump from barrier four and has been installed as a $5-equal second favourite with fellow Kiwi-bred galloper Brutal (barrier 17) by bookmakers, while Arcadia Queen (barrier five), to be ridden by James McDonald, has been marked as a $2.80 favourite for the inaugural running of the Golden Eagle.

Kolding was purchased out of Wentwood Grange’s 2017 Premier Yearling Sale draft for $170,000 by bloodstock agent Guy Mulcaster. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Out of the Park strikes again
Just two months since her purchase off gavelhouse,com, Out of the Park has repaid her $14,000 purchase price and more after striking up two wins and a placing in just four starts.
Generation Foals Built for Speed
Victorian farm Lovatsville offer a diverse stallion roster for this spring geared to satisfy a wide spectrum of breeder ambitions and if explosive Aussie speed is your thing then Snitzel stallion Generation will fit the bill.
NZ Derby Hero Willydoit Primed for Epsom
Last season’s New Zealand Derby hero Willydoit will step back into the spotlight on Saturday when he contests the Gr.1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick for trainer Ciaron Maher, with jockey Tommy Berry bullish the horse is ready to make his mark over the famous mile.
Oceanex Keeps the Run Going for Ocean Park
We recently stated that few stallions have done more to advance their cause in recent months than Waikato Stud’s Ocean Park and his four-year-old daughter Oceanex didn’t let us down when she proved too good in the $300,000 Group II Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
Blueblood Fillies From $3million Mares
Tom Magnier has been notable for his purchase of elite race fillies and broodmares in recent years to enhance the stellar Coolmore broodmare band and two of his $3million plus mare purchases have produced stunning fillies this spring.
One to Watch – Geelong
Trilogy Racing will have high hopes for the their talented filly Queen of Clubs in the Group I ATC Flight Stakes on Saturday and their colours were in the frame at Geelong on Thursday carried by a Zoustar filly that saluted on debut.
Oceanex Keeps the Ball Rolling for Ocean Park
Karaka 2017 graduate Oceanex (NZ) (Ocean Park) sent her value skyrocketing with a determined victory in Saturday’s $300,000 Group 2 TAB Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
New Ocean Park SW Brings Needed Joy for Cambridge Stud
In what has proved to be a tumultuous and tragic week for Cambridge Stud owners Brendan and Jo Lindsay, the victory of two-year-old filly Taroni and then underrated mare Pretty To Sea in the Listed Hallmark Stud Handicap (1200m) at Ellerslie has brought a small measure of joy to the couple.
Melody Belle Daughter Set for Long Awaited Debut
It will be a full-circle moment for Te Akau Racing at The Valley on Friday night when Lyrics ‘N’ Song, a daughter of their former multiple Group One winner Melody Belle, makes her debut.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Caulfield
Three barrier trials at Caulfield on Thursday morning produced heat winners for first season sires Wild Ruler and Profiteer with the quickest winner being Free Flying, the half-sister by Snitzel to brilliant Group winning mare Learning to Fly.