Straight Track the Only Concern for Eloping in 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes

The Peter Morgan & Craig Widdison-trained Eloping will take on the colts this Saturday in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.

Peter Morgan believes Eloping has what it takes to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes but is wary of the straight track. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The three-year-old filly is set to jump from barrier 12 with Stephen Baster as hoop. Though wide barriers are typically seen as disadvantageous, the straight run of the Flemington track over 1200m ensures every runner gets an even chance.

Peter Morgan is excited to saddle Eloping in the 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes, though he is concerned with how she’ll handle the Flemington straight track.

“We’re drawn in barrier 12 which is where we want to be but I don’t think we can be too confident because it’s a great field,” Morgan told racing.com.

“I think if it was around a turn we’d be saying ‘we’re going forward and catch us if you can’ but down the straight it’s a little bit trickier, she’s been there once and over-raced so I’m really not sure how she’s going to handle it. She’ll be somewhere on the pace anyway.

Eloping has had one prior run down the Flemington straight, finishing fourth to Bring Me The Maid in the Listed Sports 1000 (1000m) back in March. Bring Me The Maid will once again be her rival come Saturday.

However she has had a successful spring campaign, winning back-to-back in the Group 3 Champagne Stakes (1200m) and Listed Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) from her last two starts. She will now get her chance at the highest level of racing.

The trainer admitted to racing.com that the daughter of Choirsir continues to surprise him.

“She has surprised us with the way she keeps running better times over her last 400 and she’s lengthening her stride as she gets to the winning post,” Morgan said.

“We’ve won a million dollars with her so she deserves her shot against the better horses, I just wish it (the Coolmore Stud Stakes) was around Caulfield and not at Flemington.

“She worked at Seymour on Tuesday morning and we’re very happy with her, I don’t want to be over-confident but they’ll have to run pretty fast to beat her.”

Eloping is a $21 shot to win the 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes with Ladbrokes.com.au as fillies typically have a harder time winning the race than the colts.

You could win $3 million this Saturday for just $3. Just enter the Ladbrokes MegaPick and correctly guess the winners of the eight featured races (including the Coolmore) to win your share of the prize pool.