The Coolmore Foundation is behind the 3-year-old star Internal Affairs doesn’t underestimate the challenge the mammoth faced during the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes (G1) match on February 19 in Flemington, but believes the potential for dealing a blow to more seasoned elders his odds far outweighed the risk of failure against Australia’s best certified sprinter.
Home Affairs, who as a minor won Iron Jack Silver Slipper Stakes (G2) on their respective Rosehill cards this weekend a year ago, is 5 behind his stable friend and today’s favorite race distance Nature strip when he went up against his elders for the first time in The Everest in October, but responded sensibly when he turned against his own generation to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes (G1) right here in Flemington on October 30, a win secured his spot on Coolmore’s prestigious roster.
“We are under no illusions how difficult the task is to take on champion horses that have been so consistent over the past three years,” said Rob Archibald, Coolmore’s racing director. “If we can work it out, that means a lot of money for Coolmore.”
Coolmore knows what traits it takes in an aspiring 3-year-old foal to win Lightning Stakes, but you have to go back to 2005 to find it, with the 3-year-old eventually taking the lead in the weight class. Victoria’s leading- for five-year-olds the prolonged sprint is their staying power Fastnet Rock .
Since then, the race has been dominated by high-profile ladies and gelding, including the three-time winner. Black caviar while the 2019 In Her Time winner breaks the winning streak of gelding, which includes Chautauqua, Terravista, Redkirk Warrior and most recently Honor Gytrash and last year’s winner was the Nature Strip.
After the success of Fastnet Rock against Alinghi in 2005, 35 3-year-olds tried and failed at the age-appropriate weight levels in Lightning, including kids like Snitzel Starspangledbanner, and Brazen Beau, while last year’s contest saw 3-year-olds September Run and Swatts That fill slots.
“We hope we can count on some of that luck (with Fastnet Rock) and you obviously have to be a very good horse to win it at 3 years old. We had Fastnet Rock and we were. let’s hope Archibald speaks.
“Of course, there is an element of risk to it, but at the same time there are a lot of advantages and we wouldn’t go there if we didn’t think he could run well.
“All you’re trying to do when his owner is uplifted (his value) and I think there are limited downsides, there’s only benefit to getting involved in runners this seasoned sprinter I think the market appreciates where they are and where they are as long as he can perform at some stage this preparation is in one of the big groups This 1 is OK.
“I think he’s established himself as a horse with great commercial potential after his Coolmore win, but if you go and win the 1,000-meter weight class at Flemington , he will definitely be one of the most desirable prospects to go to school for a long time.”
Archibald said the decision is left to coach Chris Waller on the starting point of this fall’s campaign, with Victoria’s Group 1 sprint handicap in Newmarket (G1) and TJ Smith Stakes (G1) back in The weight-for-age category is still on the agenda, while the next trip to Royal Ascot has also been kicked off.
“It really depends on Chris, and he feels that this race is the right preparation for Newmarket and he’s really happy with the way he’s back. Chris feels this is the way to make good use of it. most of him,” said Archibald.
The Interior is set to be driven by James McDonald, with the champion jockey voting for the pony ahead of more famous rival the Nature Strip, whom McDonald’s steered to his first ever Everest success in October. ten.
McDonald sat in the saddle for his second test before this preparation, in which he finished second at Rosehill more than 900 metres.
“His two challenges were fantastic and he jumped straight down very well. It was obviously a huge task on the court that he had to take on, but he ran really well in the straighter section. 1,000 meters ahead and Chris feels this is the best way to start his campaign and all the owners have faith in that,” Archibald said.
Interior will jump from hurdle eight in the ninth run, for which he has a AU$6 chance behind Nature Strip ($2.70) and Eduardo ($4.40), with the winner William Reid Stakes (G1) The Masked Crusader and the winner of Lightning Staking 2020, Gytrash is also among the market favorites.
