Goulburn trainer Kurt Goldman concedes Hellbent faces a monumental task in Saturday’s 2015 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, but is thrilled with the condition of the three-year-old and is confident he is ready for a big performance.
Kurt Goldman is pleased with Hellbent ahead of the 2015 Coolmore Stud Stakes. Photo: Daniel Costello
Hellbent the is most inexperienced runner confirmed in the 2015 Coolmore Stud Stakes field, but has more than stamped his claims as one to watch in taking out a pair of minor Sydney sprints before boxing on for a credible third in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago following a horror run in transit.
Goldman told Racing Ahead the I Am Invincible colt is a picture of health ahead of the 2015 Coolmore Stud Stakes and has absolutely no concerns he will handle the straight track at Flemington.
“Things didn’t quite go to plan that day,” Goldman said.
“We went to the races pretty confident because his first-up win this preparation was a good win, but he was just a victim of circumstances the other day through the run and he’s pretty new to it.
“I still feel the horse did a good job considering what happened in the run.
“He was a little bit sour for a day or two afterwards, he wasn’t quite himself; it did take him a couple of days just to get over it mentally.
“He’s bounced, travelled down here and is in really good order.
“He worked here on the course proper on Tuesday morning and I liked the way he worked. He composed himself very professionally and he worked through the line.
“We just wanted to make sure he know where the finishing post was. One of the benefits of my facility is I have a 1000m straight, so this horse has done a lot of work on a straight track and we’re confident he can handle it this weekend.”
Goldman revealed he took inspiration from trainer Joe Pride’s path with 2014 Coolmore Stud Stakes placegetter Kuro to the feature event, and is hopeful it will pay dividends on Saturday.
“I wanted to follow a similar path to what Kuro did last year – run in the Heritage and then the Brian Crowley. The Heritage was a heavy track so we didn’t want to run on that and just waited and went to Rosehill,” Goldman added.
“He’s the least-experienced horse in the field but I felt I did want to be running the race third up, sticking to the 1200m.
“The whole preparation has gone to plan and we’re very happy with the horse.”
Ladbrokes.com.au is currently offering the best 2015 Coolmore Stud Stakes odds, for which Hellbent represents excellent value at a quote of $18 or $3.50 to run in the first three.
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